Online education degree - what do you think of it?

[Allina]

Hi,

I'm thinking of attending college online but i have no idea where to start? Does any of you have experience with online distance learning? What should i expect? Is it any good or I should just go to a traditional college.

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[SteveGeorge]

Hi, I don't know what your schedule is or the reason behind why you want to study online and not go to a traditional college. One way you can know if it's any good is by looking at what other students taking online classes have experienced. By reading online college reviews written by other online students can help you decide.

All the best.

[cocojambo]

Search for online colleges in your profession, and you should be able to find some.

[physiobob]

There was an online master course in Continuing Professional Development that was an early adopter of technology at the University of Greenwich, London UK. I was thinking about doing it for a few years and has discussed thing with the leader of the course who was a PT herself.

I think now the course has been abandoned but might be wrong on that. Perhaps look for their website. I should think that they might be able to provide some people to talk with in relation to online study which I think will depend a lot on the people running it and of course the subject matter being studied. This would not work for an undergraduate physio degree but might for a part-time masters that works with on-site intense modules with online weekly work in between.

The University of Cardiff, Wales UK, might offer that in their Masters in Sports Physio degree which is a part-time distance course.

[greamsmithafrica]

Hi Dear,

Dear online learning classes are differ from traditional colleges class because, in online learning classes you have to do lot of hardwork than traditional colleges classes due to shortage time nobody is there to teach again again you have to understand it by yourself in one attempt.

[Richardhall]

I recently graduated with an online degree from Stevens Henager College and I would highly recommend distance learning to anyone interested. For me, the combination of flexible study schedules, inexpensive fees and round the clock accessibility to the course material was invaluable. I managed to complete my online graduate program two months ahead of schedule and had absolutely no problem landing myself a job after I graduated. If you are looking for a dynamic, up to date approach to education, distance learning is the best option.

[brina195]

I was taking this option in to consideration and I heard from some friend that they did pretty when with long distance learning.
I did some research and found a blog about online colleges and I'm interested in taking some extra classes.
There is even an separate online degree section - maybe that will help you a bit

[Juliegirl]

That's a great blog - thanks for sharing
Even though I'm currently looking for a job I think of taking some online college courses.

[112inky]

it's very useful thing for anybody

[suzanemiller]

Before enrolling in an online university, it would be better to determine if the online degree program would be good or bad for you.

[Bill777]

I think online education is a great thing for you are able to pace yourself as you like while still being able to work and have a life outside of school.

[Theodoravoon]

taking online courses need very independent~~

[NicolaAvery]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I have just started an 11 week distance learning course on anatomy and physiology which I am doing with distance learning but I am not able to connect with the other students who are learning face to face.

My background is learning technologies and collaboration so I am also looking at how and where appropriate to use learning online or mobile phones or both. I am also looking at how best to connect with others learning around the world.

In the UK the standard route is the 4 yr MSc but I am wondering if I can get a role somewhere as an 'apprentice' physiotherapist, so that I can learn on the job - then could supplement it by learning online with others. Its a bit scary to think of not going to university and I don't know if I will be able to connect with any other students if I am not actually on a course - but I am looking into it over the next few weeks and months.

It would be great to hear advice from more experienced students ?

Thanks
Nicola

[gcoe]

Hi NicolaAvery

A physiotherapy education is a professional degree where one learns a large number basic and clinical science subjects, along with clinical education in the field. Increasingly entry to the profession is at a graduate level - that is you do a BSc degree in relevant subjects (usually graduate entry level programs stipulate preferred degrees) then a comprehensive degree in physiotherapy, in some countries at a Masters level and in some countries at a clinical doctorate level. In England it is still a 3 years Bachelors degree, but I think that this holds the profession back somewhat. In Scotland and Ireland the degrees are often more advanced. Regardless of the country these degrees can not be learnt by distance; With such a hands on health profession this is just not feasible.

You can't become a physiotherapist by an "apprenticeship". You could get a job as physio assistant for which you need no training. However this will lead you nowhere if you want to become a physiotherapist. the profession is highly regulated in most countries and most aspects of physiotherapy are not carried out by physio assistants.

If you really want to become a physiotherapist I think you need to get better informed about how to go about it. That way you can get a plan in place for realising your dream.

[NicolaAvery]

Thanks - this is really helpful information. I still think there may be possibilities but I do accept your point about becoming more informed so will respond later once thought some more about it.

[Jenn.imme]

I think online education has become almost the same as traditional classes because you can get the same resources for your courses online as you would have in a class room.

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
I have been reading this threat with great interest.
Mainly because I don't understand a word.
Online degree for Physiotherapy????? I don't get it. How is this possible???

Obviously, topics like anatomy and physiology, applied management, ethics, professional legal aspects etc. can be taught via distance learning (although I strongly believe in team work and team project learning).

But how about the clinical applications?
How would you ever discuss clinical analysis' and hypothesis'?
How do you learn and practice your hands-on skills?
How would you cope with multipathologies that are not found in anyone textbook?
How would you ever experience Physio techniques yourself?
Who would ever take you on clinical placement?

I could understand the principle of an undergraduate distance learning programme for a profession which delivers one answer per anyone question/ problem. However, Physio doesn't work that way.
Even these days when I learn somethings from written materials, it often has no relevance until I have discussed and tried it with my colleagues.

Regards,
Fyzzio

[Harshwardhan2255]

I think online education is a great thing. You are able to pace yourself as you like while still being able to work and have a life outside of school. There are so many colleges which provide online degree. I want to introduce you a very good and one of the best college. Sikkim Manipal is the best one for distance learning. SMUDE uses the latest edunxt technology to create a virtual classroom where you can interact with the faculty and students and thereby also network with other students, which is a unique and one of its kind feature amongst other colleges offering distance education. For the prospectus and speaking to their counsellor you can register for free our Sikkim Manipal University site.

[gcoe]

I think there is a lot of misinformation about online education. As I said before entry level education to the physiotherapy profession can not be taught at a distance and/or online. Post graduate education - some of this may be amenable to distance learning and some of it isn't. As Phyzio has pointed out if you are learning "craft knowledge" - that is things like manual techniques, physical examination, observation of human movement in a detailed way or techniques involving "hands on" distance learning is one of the worst methods of teaching and learning. You need to be there, watch others and try it out yourself in real time.

Where the course involves "bigger picture" studies this can be effectively taught by distance - for example evidence-based practice, research methods, or epidemiology, but it is really important that there is student-with-student interaction via such things as video-conference.

The "sandwich" course where some of the course is taught at a distance and with intensive sessions where you come into the university for a number of days can be be appropriate for some post graduate subjects and can combine the advantages of distance learning with the advantages of hands on direct contact interaction. This type of learning can be very appealing to the graduate who is working, as it can be minimally disruptive.

So before enrolling in a distance-based (or online) course consider:

• what are the learning outcomes? If the learning outcomes involve developing such things as clinical skills with patient interaction don't even thing of doing a fully distance course
• Whether the institute is really geared up for distance learning. A lot of really prestigious universities offer distance learning but aren't particularly good at it. Distance learning is often tacked on as an extension but the real learning happens on real-time courses.The academics have to be well versed, and comfortable in the delivery of distance learning and the technologies involved and it all has to be properly supported re: IT and other administrative courses
• That there are a lot of sharks out there happy to take your money for online courses but the education is of a very poor standard. Don't get sucked into the advantages of distance learning without assessing the quality of the university and it's faculty. If the institute solely offers online learning Be suspicious. There are of course some very good distance learning institutions such as the Open University in the UK but it is very easy for people to make a fast buck out of courses where very little infrastructure is provided. All may be required is some crappy little office in building somewhere.
• Find out if you will be interacting regularly with other students -this is always invaluable and an essential part of good learning. Being able to test out your ideas against a group of peers is as important as the interactions with your educators. and find out how you will be interacting. Audio conferences are very stilted - video conferencing is far superior as you can pick up on some of the non verbal communication. It is also much more like being there.
• I know some procedures such as medical procedures are effectively viewed and taught at a distance but this is usually done with people learning at a very advanced level - eg registrars in he field learning from physicians or surgeons.

[Stereo]

Hi all, I am George from Greece..please forgive my English, I didnt use them for the last 12 years . I am 37 years old and I have a family with 2 small kids , I work as a medical representative and I want to study and earn a bachelor in physiotherapy. My age and my two kids aren't allow me to go for a full time college . So I thought if there's a possibility to take the courses on line in a distance learning study.. I do understand that some practical courses is very hard to study them on line , but I am sure I can handle it. Please , does anybody can help me find a college or university that I can go for it? Once more, forgive me for my English, I am looking forward for your help...

[Jenn.imme]

Hi all, I am George from Greece..please forgive my English, I didnt use them for the last 12 years . I am 37 years old and I have a family with 2 small kids , I work as a medical representative and I want to study and earn a bachelor in physiotherapy. My age and my two kids aren't allow me to go for a full time college . So I thought if there's a possibility to take the courses on line in a distance learning study.. I do understand that some practical courses is very hard to study them on line , but I am sure I can handle it. Please , does anybody can help me find a college or university that I can go for it? Once more, forgive me for my English, I am looking forward for your help...

I can recommend you a web site which has a database of many online schools and colleges offer Physiotherapy online courses; AskForEducation.Com is your guide to accredited online colleges and universities.
Physical Therapy Online Schools and Colleges