Oscail

From Researching Virtual Initiatives in Education

Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre (NDEC) of Ireland, was established in 1982 by Dublin City University.

The mission of Oscail is to provide adults with access to third level education through Distance Education regardless of location, employment, domestic or personal circumstances, or prior qualifications.

All Oscail programmes are accredited by Dublin City University. Students study in their own time, at their own pace and wherever is most convenient, with the help of our specially written self-instructional course texts and Moodle - a virtual learning environment. Each student builds a study timetable to fit their individual lifestyle. To date, thousands of adults have obtained Irish university qualifications through Oscail.

Oscail's web site is at http://www.oscail.ie

Oscail is a member of EADTU.

What does Oscail offer?

Oscail offers learners the chance to achieve an Irish university qualification without changing their current lifestyle. No previous qualifications are required for undergraduate programmes if learners are over 23 years of age - except for the Bachelor of Nursing Studies programme which is for registered nurses only. Students under 23 years on 1st January of the forthcoming academic year must meet the normal entry requirements of the University, as appropriate to the programme.

Developments in eLearning in Oscail

For an update on the current situation with regard to Oscail and elearning at DCU, see the report by Kay Mac Keogh and Seamus Fox 'an eLearning Strategy for DCU' and blog at http://www.dcu.ie/~foxs/elearning/.