Navigating Your Future on the Internet

Common Sense for Internet Courses

There is a wealth of opportunity for educators in the field today. Through the power of the Internet, learners who were once faced with the challenge of scheduling and budgetary conflicts are finding a perfect fit with courses offered online. This type of education method is being hailed as providing convenient collaborative learning. In its simplest definition, online education is the presentation of learning opportunities offered via the Internet. Participants of online courses are unfettered by time or location making it the perfect alternative for learners with busy lives. Courses can be available to learners 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which make this type of learning method a tremendous incentive for those seeking continuing education.

The following is a list of positive steps towards a successful online course:

1. Course Introduction: An introduction to the course should be posted on your web site at all times. Allowing your target audience to determine if the course content is appropriate for their needs will benefit both you and the potential learner.
2. Training: Offer your enrollees training in accessing and navigating the course. It is also a good idea to have Help menus as well as technical assistance available to the learner.
3. Course Syllabus: Once the participant is enrolled in the class, it is recommended that the syllabus be available so they can review it prior to starting the course.
4. Appealing Material: Creating a look that appeals to your audience is as important as creating clearly defined text and having well-organized material. Plan ahead for future courses and create a standardized look that blends with your organizations vision and brand. The course materials should look professional, be well planned and be proofread for mistakes.
5. Functionality: Prior to releasing your course for public use, check to make sure that all links work properly, that images open or pop in as planned, and that the course will appear on your web site at the scheduled time. Make sure that the navigation within your course is easy and functional for the user.
6. Compatibility: If slides and other visuals would be important in a classroom setting of the course, then your web materials should include graphic images. If simulations or other visual references would be important in a classroom setting than consider using online video or other outside video viewing. Remember that problem-solving, small group discussion, research, and other common classroom activities all have equivalent or better online counterparts.
7. Do you want to offer Continuing Education Credits to your learners?

   Click here to request more information. Or call our CE Manager at 1-800-950-8250, ext. 3372.

   Learning Styles: When you design the course material and activities it is important to consider three styles of learning. Learners who are visual in nature benefit most from charts, diagrams, slides and notes. Learners who have an auditory style benefit most from sound files, videos, auditory lectures and recitation. Tactile learners benefit most from writing repetition, note taking, analogy, and study sheets.
8. Communication: It is important that learners be able to easily communicate with instructors or course facilitators. This can be done through email or threaded discussions. Participants should not need to wait a day or more to have their questions answered.
9. Keep it Interesting: Avoid large blocks of text without a break. Use graphics and examples to help relieve the reader’s eye. Remember that it is more difficult to do vast amounts of reading on a computer due to the source of light through the monitor.
10. Quick loading pages: There are several things you can do to help course pages load more quickly. Try spreading lengthy amounts of text between pages, and then link the pages together. Other ways to cut down loading time are to keep graphic images, page banners, and animations at a relatively small file size. It is advisable to link to video clips rather than embedding them within the course.
11. Testing and tracking: Allow yourself plenty of time to test all aspects of your online course before making it public to learners. This will help to ensure a positive learning experience. It can be helpful to track the amount of time a learner spends within the course. This can usually be done by your Webmaster or hosting service and will provide you valuable information when designing future courses.
12. Technology: Online courses take advantage of the latest technology but that technology should remain seamless to your participants. Make sure the minimum requirements to participate in the course are posted in the course description prior to enrollment. This will allow the learner to be well prepared for the course.

Educating healthcare professionals is an exciting challenge, but there are hurdles along the way, such as dealing with scheduling, budgets, and methods of delivery. If you want a knowledgeable partner to navigate CE online call us, we can help. CFMC has a talented team of continuing education professionals, design experts, web developers, and technology experts available to help your Internet courses be successful learning experiences. As a joint sponsor, CFMC will also ensure that your Internet courses meet the strict guidelines of accrediting organizations. To explore this option, please contact Lorraine Pickrell by email at lpickrell@cfmc.org.

AAMC Calls for Strict Limits on Industry Support of Medical Education

Association Leadership Approves New Guidelines

For Immediate Release:

Washington, D.C., June 19, 2008-The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) today urged all medical schools and teaching hospitals to adopt policies that prohibit drug industry gifts and services to physicians, faculty, residents, and students, and to curtail the involvement of industry in continuing medical education activities. The recommendations were part of a new AAMC report, "Industry Funding of Medical Education," unanimously approved by the association's Executive Council. In adopting the report, the AAMC's leadership urged all association members to implement policies and procedures, consistent with the report's guidelines, by July 1, 2009.

To read the full AAMC press release, visit this link: http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2008/080619.htm

To view the ACCME Standards for Commercial SupportSM, visit this link:
http://www.accme.org/dir_docs/doc_upload/700a1624-d6f0-46d8-a4bc-88e12a56eca2_uploaddocument.htm.
 

Variety in Professional Credit

CFMC is a national accredited provider of CME and CNE. We also partner with other organizations on a regular basis to bring you professional credits for NAHQ, AAFP, and Pharmacy. For more information please call Lorraine Pickrell at 1-800-950-8250, ext. 3372 or visit us on the web www.yourCEsource.org.

Topics and Articles

If you have suggestions for newsletter topics, CME tips, CME success stories, or if you would like to submit an article for publication please contact us by email at lhelseth@cfmc.org.

As part of a quality improvement organization, it is our goal to continually strive for improvement. If you have comments or suggestions, we would like to hear from you. Visit us at www.yourCEsource.org or contact Jen Naused at 1-800-950-8250, ext. 3139, email jnaused@cfmc.org. 

CFMC Upcoming Educational Activities

Visit www.yourCEsource.org for a complete list of upcoming educational activities.