Online dispensing course set to be launched

The College aims to have the three-year course ready for the start of the next academic year in September 2001. The students have to attend the College for practical tuition and access to tutors, but the details have not yet been finalised. It will be the same course and the same syllabus as the College offers to its day-release students. There is no target yet set for the number of students in the first year. Head of Applied Optics Tony Botten said the College had the resources for a full course, but did not expect that in the first year. Mr Botten added: 'It's still in the early planning stages, but we're hoping to get it online for term next year in September.' The College had been working with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) on its online course for a number of years. ABDO has now taken over the administration and running of its own course, and is planning to establish a new College of Education at Godmersham Park Mansion in Kent (News, August 18). The move left the resources City & Islington College had devoted to it unused, so it was decided to redirect them into an in-house online course. Mr Botton said: 'We decided to go the online route, because that seems to be the way of much education, in particular distance learning in the future and we've got a bit of experience in terms of setting up the National Vocational Qualification online system. 'It gives an opportunity for those who want to do the diploma course via distance learning. They will have an alternative and are not tied to the ABDO course.' - City & Islington College's pilot scheme for the programme of Optical NVQs has been delayed because of technical difficulties, but it is expected to be up and running in the next fortnight.