What is NAN distanCE?
NAN distanCE is an Internet-based continuing education program for psychologists. Together with the NAN Education Committee, neuropsychologists at the leading edge of science and practice develop courses using multimedia materials and "interactive technologies."
DistanCE courses combine traditional textbook-based materials with CD-ROM and Internet-mediated content. The Internet is used to enhance communication through the use of e-mail, interactive testing, and course-specific Message Boards. Participants work on "modules," with a typical module containing a teaching "lecture", and a web-based self-test; in some courses, modules also contain a case study, and a discussion via message board and/or e-mail. Participants can work at their own pace, but the course instructors tend to focus on a particular module for only the pre-scheduled period.
Why distanCE?
Time and Cost Factors
Distance education has been identified as a mechanism for addressing obstacles to training. More specifically, distance education balances training costs, time away from the office, and accessibility of individuals in rural areas. Access is a commonly described problem of continuing education trainees. Neuropsychologists often find it difficult to take the time away from their practice to attend workshops at locations and times that may not meet their schedules. The cost of travel and lodging associated with training is often prohibitive. In compensating for these obstacles, distance education provides an alternative learning opportunity.
Interacting with Technology
Home study courses and audio-video teleconferencing have been the primary mechanisms for distance education in the past 15 years. A major criticism, justifiably so, is the limited interaction between "faculty" and "students". As psychologists, we recognize that a major component of learning is the opportunity for discussion among trainees, and for interaction and feedback with instructors. In the past, technological limitations have been a factor that precluded true interactivity among trainees in distance education and evaluations of such programs were less than overwhelming. More recently, technological advances have allowed millions of individuals to use the resources of the Internet and e-mail. These environments offer new opportunities to address the past criticisms of distance education and shape the learning and skill development of neuropsychologists by offering a mechanism for flexible, detailed, ongoing interactivity and feedback.
Distance education models using the Internet can deliver training content via a website, a CD ROM, or through traditional paper and pencil materials. Internet-mediated communications enable trainees to meet "on line" for class discussions on pre-selected topics. These flexible asynchronous communication protocols allow a study group to log on and "discuss" a topic at any time of the day, posting their discussion on a list server or mail group for other students to read and respond. After reading course materials, students can respond on their own time and schedule to discussion questions posed to the rest of their group and/or to the instructor. Furthermore, access to experts all over the country for discussion and feedback is feasible, since the interaction is not bound by difficulties with schedule or time conflicts. The format for interactivity is surprisingly accessible and has been found to be an excellent mode for drawing out the involvement of learners who traditionally may be hesitant to interact in a group situation. The quality of interaction has also been found to be high, presumably due to the opportunity to respond over time, after thinking through issues and questions, rather than responding "on the fly" and under the time constraints of a live, classroom discussion.
Internet-Based Continuing Education
The digital nature of the Internet lends itself to technologically advanced presentations using a wide array of media. Lectures and workshops can be provided in the familiar form of slides, overheads, and discussion, as well as user accessible text, graphics, movie clips, animations, and interactive exercises. Application of the current technological environment to distance education permits students to independently interact with the material. The result is a compact, unified learning environment, which can be accessed conveniently. Materials from the course can be re-purposed and used to prepare notes, for example, with your word processor. Later, the same notes can be imported into an e-mail program or chat room for questions or discussion with colleagues in the course.
Working at One's Own Pace
In addition to addressing problems of accessibility, and cost and time constraints, the NAN distanCE model also offers enhanced opportunities for increasing the effectiveness of the training experience. Collaborative learning opportunities among trainees are possible. Trainees may interact, participate in discussions, and receive feedback without disrupting an instructor's presentation or compromising the training schedule. Furthermore, the model provides for more active learning. Using this medium, the trainee must actively respond in order to progress through the course activities and materials. The active participation of the trainee is cued by the technological presentation of the course (computer and software), requiring trainees to complete tasks or assignments before moving on to another activity. The pace can be determined by each individual, rather than by the instructor or others in the class. In this fashion, trainees at multiple levels of competence and prerequisite knowledge can effectively take the same course.
Registration
There are 2 steps to the registration process. First, you must register in the NAN distanCE online system. This does not cost you anything, but gives us access to your name and email address so we may notify you when courses become available. After you have registered, the system enables you to:
- Register for courses on-line
- Pay for courses on-line
- Maintain a personalized distanCE Course Password and ID
- Maintain a distanCE test "report card" on-line
- Receive automated CE Certificates upon course completion
Computer Needs
DistanCE courses require an Internet Connection (through an Internet Service Provider) and a computer with a CD-ROM. While most modern (e.g., 1997 - present) personal computers meet the needs of the distance participant, use the following as minimum guidelines:
- Windows/PC: Pentium processor, Windows 95/98/2000
- Macintosh: Power PC, OS 8.6 or higher
- Memory: You need enough to run your OS and a web browser
- Modem: 33.6 or 56k bps at a minimum, Cable/ISDN/DSL recommended
- Hard Drive: 1GB of free space is recommended, should you wish to download and store course materials.
- CD-ROM: 8x or faster
- Software: Web Browser (IE 5 Preferred), QuickTime Plug-in, e-mail
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