Hi Ava
Thank you for the time and energy you have put in in replying to me. As you can see so far a lot of people question the value of certain DL providers. This is the problem, it isn't DL but the provider.
As for the marking thing, I made the assumption that 40% pass mark was for a HE course as that was the typical minimal pass when I was at uni. As for CAM therapies being at FE level, that isn't true as Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine etc are usually at HE level. If a level 3 FE course was marked at 40% I would question its value.
If you didn't know, many therapists have done these bottom end of the DL market courses and found to their surprise that their professional body and/or insurance provider wouldn't accept these qualifications. Therefore I will carry on criticizing such courses, and will use humour if necessary to put my point across. I do like Holisticworld's comment quote: "do not be taken in by the evil money making companies". That's well funny :-))
Best Wishes
RP
just thought id let you know as a rgn with many post grad course i now do all my madatory training on line including lifting and handling !!
Collages are just not always feaible in either choice or availability. Distance learning is increasingly popular. Perhpas it would be better if we could access accredited and professional course that had to comply with aceptable standards of course work/examination and practice (where required) that way we as therapist are reassured that we are paying for a course that will equp us to practice to high standards and the public is reasurred that we are competent at what we do and they are at least safe. And yet i have seen many student nurses/doctors come and go MY point being that academia doesnt always= ability to practice,The best theapist are the ones who are able to make that connection between themselves and clients,
those client come back time after time, no matter what cerfticate you have on the wall. 🙂 BLessing Pollyp
If you didn't know, many therapists have done these bottom end of the DL market courses and found to their surprise that their professional body and/or insurance provider wouldn't accept these qualifications. Therefore I will carry on criticizing such courses, and will use humour if necessary to put my point across.
I'd tell them, tough, get over it 😉 and get separate insurance and top up training if they need it. Therapists or would be therapists take responsibility themselves for checking whether a DL course is right for them before they sign up. Just because a course is cheap doesn't mean its cr*p, (or bottom end) and just because its expensive it doesn't make it good. If I don't check in advance whether the job I am after will accept the qualification, or that my professional association's insurance will if that is important etc, that is my mistake, and its tough luck. Why should people who are perfectly capable of checking a course out and making professional/commercial decisions have their training insulted because others haven't bothered to do so? :confused:
I personally would not sign up for an online course where I had not had treatments myself in the therapy, (and believe that with training I could do it) and had not done advance reading round the subject, using up to date books. I would ask the learning provider for sample pieces from lessons. If it looks a bit dated, don't sign up, or I could ask when the course was written or last updated etc.
I would ask about practical - what's the suggestions if I'm struggling? Do they have a scheme themselves or could I make my own arrangements locally to get help? Can I get insurance? If my professional association won't accept it, am I prepared to take out separate insurance? (or even switch all my insurance over at renewal). Get the info, do the sums and then, and only then, would I sign up for a course, DL or otherwise.
Cpd certificates to prove attendance at practical sessions along with a distance learning certificate I am fine with. I don't get asked by clients, but if I was I would be perfectly happy to say I took a distance learning course for x subject, and (if practical is involved) took private tuition and practical workshops to ensure competance.
Rustic 🙂
I agree with both sides of this debate. DL has its place, but not some of these ridiculous 'practitioner level' CAM courses, which are certainly not recognised.
I will take the last poster as an example. Lifting and handling - watch, repeat, practice, watch, repeat, practice. Ive done it myself, its easy, and can be done online comfortably, not sure how easy it would be done from a textbook, but im sure its possible. Massage (mostly done via coursebooks when done DL) - read, practice, read, practice, read, practice (i think you get my point), yes im sure that anyone can do that to copy the strokes......but then what happens when you come across tight muscles, or bone, or lumps and bumps.....???? you dont know, because these ridiculously substandard courses dont cover it. What about palpation, contraindications, how to drape....I could go on.....these have all been discussed on these forums, are important to the therapy, yet these 'courses' dont cover them.
I agree with RP, why should we be kind to these courses? But then, as an employer, I wouldnt even interview someone that has done just DL courses in hands on therapies.
I read that Susan Curtis is unhappy with her training provider, Stonebridge, ive had dealings with these nasties, you dont want to get on their bad side, ie, make a complaint, as they bare their very sharp teeth!.....'Caveat emptor' 'Let the buyer beware'!
If you arent happy with your course, its been said so many times on here...go to trading standards....although SNHS are based in Spain (wonder why), so unless you go to some european court, theres no redress there....
I have spoken to a colleague about this, and the governing bodies have contacted DL providers to show them what the standards are, and offered to help with raising theirs...no response. So they (governing bodies) are willing to give evidence to trading standards, but only at the request of those complaining.
Hi fasciaman, thanks for your support.
Hi Pollypips, your reasoning is very reasonable. Nice balanced reply. You have made me think about DL, and I might write a course myself with attendance workshops and parallel it with the nearest industry standard &/or NOS. If DL is a growing market, and feel strongly about such matters, I should put my money where my mouth is and become a provider myself. Cheers 🙂
Best Wishes
RP