Distance Learning: Lessons Learned from a UK Masters Programme

The MSc Intelligent Systems (IS) and the MSc Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISR) programmes at De Montfort University are Masters courses that are delivered both on-site and by distance learning. The courses have been running successfully on-site for over 10 years. Designing and delivering courses as distance learning presents a challenge, particularly where the content includes technical and practical elements. For this work we look back at some of the techniques that have been adopted and consider their success or otherwise at enabling us to overcome these challenges. We reflect on some previous studies that have been undertaken over the years of running the courses. Finally, the lessons learned from these successful programmes are considered with a view to generalising the approach and more specifically how we can apply our experiences to the development of new distance courses in Data Analytics and in Artificial Intelligence at Huddersfield University.