The value of online education...

[joemt]

So, after having a lengthy conversation with one of my contract instructors regarding the future of CPR Education yesterday, I started thinking... is there any value to online EMS education?

Not for Continuing Education... many types of "Distance" education have been available in that area for YEARS. But I'm talking about the integral stuff... CPR, ACLS, PALS, BTLS and all the other "alphabet" courses. All trends seem to point to online education, but what are we losing by directing our future practitioners in that direction... and what are we gaining? Just some food for thought that I'd like to get some feedback on.

[Paramedic192]

There will always be a need for this. But its always good to have a second of all attached to the training. For example once you do your online CPR you then have to go to a station, or training center and show the skills you just learned online. But the online took all the time so the benifit is that you learned at your own pace online and you didnt have to set 2-3 hours in a class room.

Some people though need class room hands on learning and have a hard time with the self study stuff.

SO in a lot of ways its a toss up.

[AZCEP]

EMS training can not be effectively done online.

Particularly new concepts that stretch the imagination of the students. Someone that can answer questions when they come up needs to be available.

The online "alphabet soup" courses change enough that the instructor will be able to give more insight into the concepts.

Maybe I'm just trying to keep one of several jobs though.

[Paramedic192]

I do not think Initial Training should be done online but recert should have a small part in keeping up from be drug into inservice. We have inservice here every month of the year and it would be nice to do it online for once.

[AZCEP]

For the occasional, schedule strapped department, sure it would make things easier. Making it habitual would only be detrimental to the amount of information the participants take away from the program.

The online CE programs that are EMS driven, are garbage. We've used 4 over the last 2 years, and little, if any, of the material was relevant. Whether it was outdated, or not based on actual practice in the area, we found we couldn't use the information, and dropped all of them.

The best CE courses are those that create discussions about when/why/how things can be used. When people are forced to look at things in different ways, they will use the information later. Even if it is just to see if it actually works.

[ambmedic]

I agree 100% W/ AZCEP. There must be interaction between the students and instructors. The more the participation by the students the more information the students will take home W/ them.

[prpgfirerescuetech]

www.trainstat.com

Thoughts?

[bluueyee]

I think yes, online education has the same value for employers as long as it is an accredited university. If you are just purchasing a degree from an online source, or taking classes for a certificate - then, probably not. I have my associates degree from an accredited college and I took classes both on campus and online. I'm currently working on my bachelor's degree from the same college and am taking mostly online classes. There are several great universities that now offer degrees via online -- it doesn't have to simply be a strictly online college.