Re: New Educational Programs at Northwestern University

Re: New Educational Programs at Northwestern University

Sam Hamontree

9/13/2006

I compliment Mark Edwards and NUPOC on the development and
implementation of their new Blended Learning Certificate Program. This
seems to be an extremely positive step toward furthering the education
of O&P practitioners and through such, to provide the capacity for
educating additional practitioners -- which is vastly needed.

While there may be some disagreement (what's new, there always is
disagreement with anything done/changed in O&P) I see this as an
opportunity for more completely educated/trained practitioners.

In the very most positive sense, I liken this to our original O&P
education programs -- Short Term Courses. Which in my mind provided the
best trained, even though mildly educated practitioner.

As I understand the program, the practitioner/student combines
work/training in a facility, then goes to formal education for a month
or so, returns to work/training, then back to school and so on. This
provides a method for a person to work, earn a living, and go away to
school for a much shorter period of time than under the long term
certificate program or current degree programs. Conceptually, this is
not unlike the short term courses -- though producing a far more highly
educated individual.

To put a lighter twist to it, the interaction through synchronous
courses,
Group meeting's, and more traditional virtual communication methods such
as email, bulletin boards, and chat can bring the fellowship among the
students, not unlike the evening sessions at the local pub during short
terms courses.

Again my congratulations and thanks to Mark and NUPOC for the
development of this method of education.

Sam E. Hamontree, CP
OrPro, Inc.




-----Original Message-----
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>] On
Behalf Of Mark Edwards
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 12:56 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: [OANDP-L] New Educational Programs at Northwestern University

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S PROSTHETICS-ORTHOTICS CENTER
ANNOUNCES A NEW P&O BLENDED LEARNING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
 
Beginning in February 2007, NUPOC will offer its first Blended Learning
Certificate Programs in Prosthetics and Orthotics. After conducting a
thorough review of student needs that will require a Masters level
education
by 2010, NUPOC has redesigned its entire curriculum, using the latest in
blended learning theories. NUPOC will be expanding the program through
a
blend of off-campus distance learning and clinical on-campus
experiences.
The exciting new program will be providing the critical problem solving
skills students require to enter the profession as well as expanding
their
in-depth basic science knowledge.



The difficulty of replicating the rich patient interactions and the
trusted
pedagogical tradition of face-to-face instruction that our program was
built
on made Northwestern University reluctant to invest in distance
education
ventures. Northwestern University P&O program was started in 1958, and
today it graduates almost 50% of the all graduates in the United States.
Several years ago, we investigated what the field of distance education
had
to offer a highly-reputed brick-and-mortar university like Northwestern,
and
determined that no model nor medium yet existed that could provide
instruction on par with Northwestern's tradition of face-to-face
instruction
delivered by experienced faculty. However, today's technology makes
this
new transition possible.
 

Having built a state-of-the-art Smart Classroom, NUPOC now has the
technology to film almost any lecture or demonstration, and make the
course
available to its students immediately over the internet on a secured web
site. Mobile camera crews also record clinical and laboratory
procedures,
so that students can see - and partake in - every course offered as part
of
the program.

In addition to viewing previously recorded lectures and demonstrations,
students will participate online in synchronous (real-time) classes and
meetings with their instructors. Peer-to-peer learning is recognized as
one
of the most important elements in learning theory, NUPOC students will
interact with each other during synchronous courses, group meetings, and
more traditional virtual communication methods such as e-mail, bulletin
boards, and chat that will enhance their learning experiences.



The student enrolled in this new blended program will be able to take
classes at home or work and then come to NUPOC for focused clinical
experiences that integrate their on-line learning. This clinical
experience
is essential to understanding the theories and blending our on-line
curriculum. The content of the traditional certificate programs will
remain
and be expanded, but delivered in the new blended learning format.

  

We believe that this blended learning method will make a more efficient
and
effective way to bring our long history of education and training in
Prosthetics and Orthotics to more qualified students. The on-line
portion of
the program will be approximately 5-6 months of coursework followed by 2
months of focused clinical experiences mentored by certified faculty
members
at NUPOC.

 
Since announcing the intention of moving to a blended learning program,
NUPOC has begun accepting students for the February 2007 programs.
Limited
spaces remain for the February course; NUPOC will continue accepting
applications through September. The deadline to apply for the August,
2007
programs will be March 1st, 2007.


For more information visit us at <URL Redacted> or
contact our Director of Distance Learning, Ms. Jodi Fox at
<Email Address Redacted>

 
 
Mark L. Edwards, MHPE, CP
Director, Prosthetics Education
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of medicine
(312) 238-1173 fax (312) 238-1186