Issue 7 - May 2004

7 habits of highly effective online learners
By Paul Powers, DC

Distance-based learning is a broad topic that is defined as any type of learning in which the learner and instructor are separated. Many types of distance learning, including online courses, tele-seminars (by telephone), video conferencing and correspondence courses, are now available to help chiropractors meet their continuing education requirements.

Obtaining continuing education credits by way of distance learning has many advantages, including the ability to take coursework “anytime, anywhere,” saving money on travel and saving time away from family and the office.

But are distance-based learning courses for you? Here are some important questions to consider before you decide to take a distance learning course:

• Do you have basic computer skills and Internet access?

• Do you feel quality learning can take place without face-to-face interaction?

• Are you a self-motivated and self-disciplined person?

• Do you enjoy reading?

• Are class discussions helpful to you?

• Do you feel discussions by e-mail or a discussion board can replace a live discussion?

• Do your work and family schedule make attending live seminars difficult?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, distance learning will probably work for you.

Just as highly successful people purportedly practice seven habits, effective online learners also practice seven “habits.” Getting the most out of distance-based learning programs — which are more widely accepted by state boards of chiropractic examiners than any other form of distanced learning — require the discipline to acquire and these habits:

1. Choose relevant courses. Review the educational objectives of each course you are considering taking. The course’s educational objectives tell you what skills and knowledge you will take away from the course. Choose courses with educational objectives that interest you and that impart skills consistent with your practice.

2. Take advantage of your learning style. Learners come in three basic “types” — visual, kinesthetic and auditory. Take advantage of your particular learning style.

Visual learners learn primarily through the written word. They tend to write down every word and read a lot.

Kinesthetic learners learn better by doing and like to practice what they learn. More importantly than the exact mode of learning, they like to learn material that they can then apply.

Auditory learners primarily take in information through listening. They are more likely to engage in conversation about the material than write it down. Although auditory learners may enjoy online continuing education (particularly if it involves technologies such as audiovisual components), they must understand that interaction with the instructor will be through written e-mail.

A good option for auditory learners is tele-seminars. This form of distance-based learning occurs by way of a live telephone conference call. Instead of reading, learners listen.

3. Space your learning. Have you ever attended a two-day, 15-hour program and left feeling overwhelmed and not in command of what you just heard? You are not alone. Optimum learning does not take place by compacting an entire learning experience into two days. Think about it: back in college, did you take fifteen hours of orthopedics in two days or did you take an orthopedics class one hour at a time over a series of weeks?

This is when spaced learning, self-motivation and self-discipline become key. If you begin to take online courses in small increments, you are much more likely to absorb and master the information presented. Consider this: if your requirement is 12 hours of continuing education due by December 31 each year, your learning experience would be greatly improved if you took one hour each month for 12 months rather than waiting until December and taking all 12 hours over two days.

4. Print and catalogue materials. Online learning involves reading. Regularly print out the material presented and catalogue it for later review and ease of use.

5. Actively participate. Online learning offers an unexpected participation advantage In live seminars, you may have a problem interacting with the instructor. Because of time constraints, instructors are limited in the number of questions they can answer. With online learning, you post questions and the instructor or other classmates can answer all questions throughout the course.

E-mail your professor questions and post questions (and answers) to discussion boards frequently.

6. Schedule your learning. If your work and family schedule make attending live seminars difficult, then don’t make online learning difficult. Create a personal learning schedule and keep to it — for example, a lunch-time class every other week for one hour of online continuing education. If it’s on your schedule, you will do it.

7. Apply what you learn. The best way to ensure that you learned the material presented in any continuing education course is to apply it. Use the knowledge in your practice, share it with your staff and let your patients know about the new information you have acquired.

Distance-based learning, including online, tele-seminars or video conferencing, are a great way to get continuing education credits without attending live events. The right mix of good habits will ensure you get the most out of your continuing education.

Paul Powers, DC, is a practicing chiropractor and the site editor of ChiroEcoCE.com, your source for online chiropractic continuing education. For more information, go to page 50 in this issue.