New Educational Programs at Northwestern University
Mark Edwards
Description
Collection
Title:
New Educational Programs at Northwestern University
Creator:
Mark Edwards
Date:
9/12/2006
Text:
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
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
Citation
Mark Edwards, “New Educational Programs at Northwestern University,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/227297.
