James is a master of online learning
JAMES OGHENOvO embarked on an online Master of Public Health (MPH) programme to help develop his career.
The 47-year-old works as a lecturer in Health and Social Care at Harrow College in London, where he teaches Level 3 to Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) students.
James, who is originally from Eku, Nigeria, began his distance learning course at the University of Roehampton, London Online, in September 2014. He will finish the online masters programme, which consists of seven modules and a dissertation, this autumn.
The father-of-two says: ‘I’ve always loved studying and, being a lecturer in further education colleges, there is a need for me to keep learning in order to enhance my professional development.
‘It was the flexibility that really appealed to me. I determine when to study and when not to study.
‘Whereas, in the traditional classroom your study is structured for you, the online programme allows me to structure my own study time, and that helps to remove pressure because I choose how and when to study. ‘We are students from everywhere who can relate and discuss issues about our assignments together.
‘It’s great because the online classroom exposes you to solutions used in other countries that I perhaps might not have thought about. It brings the world closer to you, and while on the programme, you feel you really are part of a learning community.’
While James admits it isn’t easy to juggle work, being a father and furthering his education, he has figured out what works best for him and his family.
He says: ‘It’s nice when you have a family that really understands. I have a son and daughter at primary school, so they emulate me. They see me as a role model, always learning. I tell them: “Learning doesn’t stop at any age, it’s all throughout your lifetime.’’’
Now in the third module of his Master of Public Health programme, James continues to apply many of the skills he has developed to his role as a lecturer. And he hopes to inspire a new generation to love lifelong learning as much as he does.
He adds: ‘I think Roehampton’s online programme has made me more versatile professionally, and it is already helping me in my role.
‘It’s an investment which I have already started reaping the rewards from, and I know there is still so much more to come.’