Frequently asked questions

The BA (Hons) Learning Through Technology (BALTT) is designed for people who are in work and do not have the opportunity to attend university full-time but would like to develop their skills. Typically our students are support staff in schools, such as learning assistants and ICT technicians, but many other work settings are also considered appropriate. If you're unsure whether this course is right for you, leave us some details and we will contact you to discuss your situation.

BALTT is a research degree, it aims to support students through the process of action research, using reflective practice as an analytical tool within the workplace.

As the degree is based on the work environment, students need to incorporate their everyday work activities into their studies. Students identify their own learning programme and turn this into a portfolio of work and assessed products that enable them meet the assessment criteria for an Undergraduate degree awarded by Anglia Ruskin University. Using this approach our students normally complete the degree in three years.

It is important to realise that there is no face-to-face contact in this degree. Students are supported through an online community of fellow students and tutors whose job it is to help students plan their research and guide them through their degree experience. An online portfolio tool also helps students to structure their learning. To be successful on this degree, students need to take responsibility for their own learning and be highly motivated self-directed learners.

No formal qualifications are required although all applicants need to be in full or part time work, paid or unpaid, within an environment that provides learning of some kind.

You do need a degree to teach but beyond a degree you need to follow a course approved by the Teaching Agency for schools.

Some of our graduates have been accepted for teacher training at primary and secondary level.

If you wish to teach in a secondary school then you have to have a relevant curriculum subject, like Maths, French etc., at degree level. This degree could cover ICT if you can demonstrate that at least 50% of your studies relate to ICT. (This would typically be achieved through making ICT the focus of your studies- being in a work role involving ICT can affect your ability to achieve this focus). If you wish to teach at a primary level, there is typically no restriction about the specific subject of the degree. There are other requirements in addition to a degree demanded by the Teaching Agency - please visit their website for more information here .

Decisions about accepting students onto a teacher training course approved by the Teaching Agency are made by individual institutions and studying a particular degree course does not guarantee that a place will be offered.

In Scotland for PGCE Primary, you will need:

• An SCE higher grade award in English or a National Course award at higher level at C or above in English and Communication;
• An SCE standard grade award (grades 1 or 2) in Maths or a National Course award at intermediate 2 level in Maths.

In Scotland for PGCE Secondary, you will need:

• An SCE higher grade pass in English (band C or above), or a National Course award at higher level at C or above in English and Communication.

Please remember however that the government do change the regulations and funding depending on the shortage of teachers.

For more information look at the Teaching Agency website

We have two starts per year: in September and January. Our next cohort starts in September 2012 with a module on induction, where students are helped to profile their personal development plans for the years work.

Not formally but it would be hard to do the BA(Hons) Learning Through Technology degree if your organisation disapproved of your study. The more the organisation support you the easier it will be so it is best to get them onside.

If a member of staff will help mentor you then this would be good but please reassure them that there need be no cost involved for them as an organisation.

It depends on the level and the number of credits you have. Certainly if these credits are degree level from a University, for example the OU, you will be able to take the credits onto the BA(Hons) Learning Through Technology degree programme.

If you have other qualifications (or in some cases work experience) you may be able to get credits for these up to the maximum value of 240 credits, if they have been taken within the last 2 years. This can be discussed with our Admissions tutor upon registration.

The BA(Hons) Learning Through Technology degree is fully accredited by Anglia Ruskin University.

This is an online degree so you will need a knowledge of using the Internet, email and the ability to upload, download and store information. Apart from this, a willingness to learn is the most important qualification.

As this degree is entirely online you must have access to a modern desktop or laptop computer that you can use at home via a broadband internet connection. Notebook computers tend to have a low specification and are only suitable as supplementary devices. Mobile devices such as Smart phones, iPads and other tablet devices can be useful for accessing the course when on the move, for example; students sometimes read course resources or listen to podcasts while on the train or bus on their way to work. However, mobile devices are not sufficient on their own as a primary means of participation.

The degree is fully online, there will be no need to attend tutorials, seminars or summer schools. The university VLE is the main venue for learning although we do encourage exploration of a wider range of online tools such as Blogs, Twitter, Skype or social networking sites to extend your technology skills.

You will join an ‘online community’ in the university VLE; the discussion boards are the primary means of contact between tutors and students. The online community discussions enable all students to benefit from interactions. Tutors start discussions off each week that relate to module tasks and students are encouraged to join the conversations. Tutors will be in the communities regularly to guide, support and mentor students. Conversation is similar to the way social network sites work. Every module also has a set of course resource pages where a suggested timetable helps you pace your study and more detailed pages provide deeper insight into module tasks.

We do not teach via email, you will have a university email account, however; this is used for personal communications such as informing tutors of unexpected absence and contacting student advisors if you have confidential issues you need to discuss.

The degree title is a BA (Hons) Learning through Technology

This is an individualised learning degree which is negotiated between the student and the tutor assigned to them. The negotiation enables individuals to carry out module activities which are contextualised to their workplace. In each module, all students will need to achieve the same learning outcomes, but individuals will plan and carry out learning activities that are relevant to their particular work setting.

The very first module is called 'Investigating the Work Setting' and built around individuals producing their own personal development plan for the first year in collaboration with their tutor. This will identify personal goals and plan how these can be achieved in the degree modules. In this sense, the subject/focus of the degree is your work practise.

This is a work centred learning course; a proportion of your study will involve considering the activities you would normally be doing in your workplace. You will also carry out some small-scale work based research projects while at work. This helps integrate work and study time. We have done research into study patterns that high attaining students have used. Some students who went on to gain 1st class honours degrees reported visiting the online community, or doing personal study, for a couple of hours each day during the week and some longer blocks of study at the weekend. Some visit the online community once or twice a week during weekdays and devote more time to study at the weekend. Unlike face-to-face programmes study times are flexible; you choose a study pattern that fits with your work and life patterns.

The degree is built around your work setting and your interests within that setting so it can be carried out completely at your own work place. Of course nothing is preventing you from visiting and comparing your work circumstances to other students on the programme if there are any who live near you.

You will not need any direct tuition from your workplace. You might find it helpful to identify a person at your institution who can help you reflect on your learning and check whether aspects like your professional development planning are relevant to both work and study.

There are no exams but there is an exhibition in year 3. We anticipate that students will want to share their learning journey and research findings with their organisation and this will be something they would welcome - rather than the end of year 3 exams which are often viewed with dread!

All the work is assessed on a module-by-module basis and the credits are awarded. It is possible to take 6 years to reach the 360 credits required for a degree to be awarded but our students will normally complete the degree in three years.

For our September 2012 and January 2013 cohorts, the tuition fees charged to individual students have been set at £4500. (Please be aware that Anglia Ruskin University reserves the right to increase fees in the future)

Yes you can pay by three instalments using the University's secure online payment system. The first payment is taken when you've successfully registered, and the following 2 payments are taken in November and January (for September starts).

This is a full time degree, however as the study is conducted as distance learning, students are deemed eligible for part-time financial support. Please note that from September 2012, part-time students can now apply for a tuition fee loan.

The support available will depend upon where you are currently living:

• If you are resident in England, you can receive a tuition fee loan of up to £4500 towards your fees by applying to Student Finance England. The amount you are entitled to is dependent on your household income. To check eligibility and to apply please visit Direct Gov website
• If you are resident in Northern Ireland, you can receive financial support of up to £1230 towards your fees and/or a course grant of up to £265 by applying to your local ELB. The amount you are entitled to is dependent on your household income. To check eligibility and to apply, please visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk
• If you are resident in Wales, you can receive financial support of up to £1025 towards your fees. You can also apply for assistance with course related costs worth up to £1,155. The amount you are entitled to is dependent on your household income. To check eligibility and to apply, please visit www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
• If you are resident in Scotland, you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for a grant of up to £500. Please visit www.saas.gov.uk and read the advice for part-time students.
• If you are resident in the EU, you can receive a tuition fee loan of up to £4500 towards your fees by applying to Student Finance Services. The amount you are entitled to is dependent on your household income. To check eligibility and to apply please visit Direct Gov website where you will find more information about how to obtain an EUPTL1 application form and guidance notes.