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Home-Study Conundrum

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 Angela Palmier on September 17, 2009 at 3:06pm: Just checked my "inbox"-----

As a result of hearing your thoughts-----

The NCBTMB Executive Committee called a special meeting this afternoon to discuss concerns regarding Distance Education and the impact current NCB policy is having on providers and practitioners alike. NCB Chair-Elect Alexa Zaledonis offered the following..... "We at NCB recognize that the landscape for education delivery is changing and is very exciting. We want to ensure that the NCB policies are in line with that changing landscape. We will review the current DE policy with regard to this issue and will provide a response within 30 days from today."

The NCB is truly taking this seriously and I must applaud this action.

On a personal note......."Woo-Hoo!"

Angie

Comment by Angela Palmier on September 17, 2009 at 2:57pm: Hello everyone,
Thank you for posting this information. I have contacted the appropriate people at NCB at 2pm CST. I expect to have some information for you soon. Please stay tuned!!!!!!

If you would like to email NCB Industry Relations directly, please feel free to email Chris Alvarado, or Angela Palmier at: calvarado@ncbtmb.org or apalmier@ncbtmb.org.

Thank you!

Comment by Erik Dalton on September 15, 2009 at 6:42am: Very good Zac. I'll send it to Art Riggs, Tom Myers, Whitney Lowe and all the others who've responded on my blog at http://massagemag.com/massage-blog/tech-talk/2009/08/14/home-study-conundrum/

Comment by Zac Carter on September 14, 2009 at 9:29pm: I just created a petition!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/reverse-or-modify-ncbtmbs-decision-to-remove-online-courses

Comment by Erik Dalton on September 14, 2009 at 8:12pm: Thanks for the show of support Zac. You make some good points.

Regrettably, we've been unable to get anyone from NCBTMB to respond to our discussion about the "discrimination against videos" campaign. I guess that should come as no surprise to therapists and educators who've dealt with them over the years.

Comment by Zac Carter on September 14, 2009 at 7:55pm: This upsets me.. Has anyone started a petition? All this will do is increase costs of CEU programs, and make them much more difficult to finish. I would travel to another state for Erik's or Myers program but only for the satisfaction of completely their programs, and receiving their certificates of completion not some silly ceu's. My primary concern with all these continuing education ceu programs is that they do not have enough live video! In fact that is my concern with all related ecucated programs including live classes. Having video presentations is probably the most important part of ones educational investment NCBTMB should of required live workshops or a live video broadcast. Say 1 day of group classroom or 2 days of group interaction over a live broadcast, and save that to video too! Put specifications on broadcast feed quality, etc.

Did NCBTMB create this new policy without community feedback? I never heard of it until now.

We are in a new age for education! Online classrooms are gaining momentum and are proving to be just as effective, especially when there is online interaction, video presentations, etc. You can do everything online that can be done in a physical classroom. "except for maybe a physics/chemist lab"

Comment by Erik Dalton on September 5, 2009 at 10:23am: Hey Susan: Would rather not comment on that statement...don't want to rile any feathers...but thx for pointing it out.

I'm really surprised no one from NCBTMB has presented their side to this well-publicized debate. This seems to illustrate why NCB is under so much pressure now... just not in touch with the massage therapy professions concerns. I'm happy to hear they've hired some new 'working therapists' into the upper tier of the organization...I pray "change is gonna come".

Comment by Susan G. Salvo on August 28, 2009 at 8:00am: Sorry. It's found on the main page of this site. Good luck with your article (and deadline).

Comment by Erik Dalton on August 28, 2009 at 7:54am: What's the link Susan...have a 3pm magazine article deadline today but will get to a response tomorrow...thx.

Comment by Susan G. Salvo on August 28, 2009 at 7:36am: Erik, when you have a moment, ck out Michael Breaux's response to the blog post regarding the USDE's report on online vs face-to-face learning. I'd love to hear (I mean read) your take on this.