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Here's a topic that's been hotly-debated among many educators. Please join in by visiting my blog at http://massagemag.com/massage-blog/tech-talk/2009/08/14/home-study-conundrum/#comment-514. I've posted some 'teaser' comments by Art Riggs and Tom Myers on this controversial subject. Also check out the insightful comments by Whitney Lowe @ http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=7523&catid=251&title=home-study-ce-conundrum

Here's a sample of my contribution after several years of kicking this subject around with the above mentioned educators. Don't like to write on political issues...feel my time is better spent focusing on the stuff I love. But we've decided this issue needs finally needs to be addressed:

In 2007, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) surprised many in the massage and bodywork community with this announcement: Videos of any type could no longer be included in home-study and online courses unless NCBTMB approved instructors offer one-day workshops to monitor and test home-study participants on the techniques presented in the videos. Furthermore, home-study reading material was restricted from displaying photos or diagrams of hands-on techniques without a one-day testing seminar. Bottom line: Continuing education credits could only be granted upon successful completion of the home-study program in addition to the one-day supervised workshop if any hands-on techniques were displayed in the material.

Since 1999, the Freedom From Pain Institute® had been an NCBTMB approved provider. Over the years, participant evaluations have enthusiastically confirmed our view that high-quality reading and video programs provide a much needed service to the community. We’ve found that well-designed home-study programs often spark a passion that encourages students to further enhance their skills by attending live presentations…if their physical and/or financial condition permits. (The rest of this article appears in the links listed above.)

Please state your case and make it a fun dialogue...thx...ERIK

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Comment by Keith Eric Grant on October 14, 2009 at 7:54pm
Drat. Forgot to mention the Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C) that's dedicated to online learning or their 2009 Conference on emerging learning technology. Their archive of conference proceedings uses "Voice Thread", which allows later view...
Comment by Erik Dalton on October 14, 2009 at 7:44pm
Excellent post Keith...you're hard work and contributions to this wonderful touch therapy iIndustry does not go un-noticed.
Comment by Keith Eric Grant on October 14, 2009 at 7:34pm
Hi Eric,

I'd previously posted the following paragraph under a thread Zac Carter had started, but it's worth a repost here.

I'll also note that consortiums of federal defense agencies, academia, and business are pouring considerable resources into developing methods of technology-based distance education under the Advanced Distributed Learning initiative. These developments are being brought into health care training and competence management by MedBiquitous. Another recent development is the use of virtual worlds, such as second life, for some aspects of medical training. The development of Sloodle further extends the Moodle distance learning environment (DLE). Another such DLE is provided by the Sakai Project. Both Moodle and Sakai are developed and maintained by substantial academic/business consortiums. Massage industry perceptions of remote learning are increasingly becoming laughably archaic.


I'm actively following developments in technology and education from multiple sources on Twitter and retweeting them (as well as adding to them) as @ramblemuse I've also been partaking of various offerings put on by the scientific journal Nature in Second Life, including a recent London-based conference on how the online world is affecting science. Just this morning another article on learning and technology jumped across my "viewport". My estimate is that were poised now for effects of technology on learning about where we were in 1996-1998 in terms of affects on communication and networking. I've also been to a talk in Second LIfe in which one of the exhibits was a 3D cell that you could immerse yourself "in", touch various objects, an get information on them. Distance these days neither means less interactive nor less rich. And, as Susan noted, in many cases it provides a better medium for reviewing. It's simply a matter of giving the best match between desired outcomes and mode of delivery. Again the 2009 MedBiquitous Conference gives a wealth of insight into what's being done in health care training.
Comment by Erik Dalton on October 13, 2009 at 6:50pm
Thanks for the heads-up Angela. I'd consider this rapid response by NCB definitely a step in the right direction....no matter what the ruling turns out to be....congratulations!
Comment by Angela Palmier on October 13, 2009 at 6:38pm
NCBTMB Announcement Concerning Distance Education/Kinesthetic Policy

"The definition and delivery of continuing education (CE) continues to evolve rapidly in this country, and NCBTMB is committed to ensuring that its policies reflect current standards and best practices.

With this objective in mind, NCBTMB's Continuing Education Committee met in 2007 and proposed that distance education (DE) for kinesthetic (hands-on) programs require an instructor be "present" for the final assessment of acquired skills. This policy was developed with the intent of serving the best interests of Approved Providers, certificants and consumers, and included a 3-year grace period for pre-existing courses and completed CE hours.

Based on input from the profession--as well as enhanced DE delivery methods--NCBTMB's Board of Directors will re-visit this policy during its Q4 Meeting. Until a final decision is reached and communicated to the profession, NCBTMB is suspending its instructor/proctor requirement for home study and DE programs.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Wagley, Director of Communications, at jwagley@ncbtmb.org or 630-652-0483."

Angie
Comment by Erik Dalton on September 29, 2009 at 5:59pm
My favorite on-line course too Bert. Be in touch...ERIK
Comment by Bert Davich on September 29, 2009 at 5:32pm
No Erick, I am not at Michigan State.(although I wish that were possible) I just just started the "Visualization of Osteopathic Principles and Practice" online courses at http://hal.bim.msu.edu/cmeonline/start.html
I just looked at the Principles of manual medicine and It looks awesome. I feel like I need a better functional understanding and visualization before I go to the next step. I also noticed the Exercise Prescriptions class at MSU is limited to Medical practitioners and PT's. I did find a book at Amazon on that by "Swain" an MSU graduate.
Thanks again for the awesome information and encouragement you give us all.
Comment by Zac Carter on September 29, 2009 at 3:56pm
Exercise Prescriptions & Manual Medicine sound like two awesome classes! I would love to see those in an "online" learning format. Any rebellious teachers out there? :)
Comment by Angela Palmier on September 29, 2009 at 7:20am
Thanks for the Kudos Erik, but we were just the messengers. It was great seeing you at the National Convention and I look forward to the next event. I do not have contact info for Art or Tom, but feel free to pass my info along if they have any questions.

Stay tuned....
Comment by Erik Dalton on September 29, 2009 at 6:48am
Bert, are you taking "Principles of Manual Medicine" at Michigan State? Be sure to take the "Exercise Prescriptions as an Adjunct to Manual Medicine" class. It used to be combined with a Cranial 2 class....great stuff!

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