Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/465652
THE BASICS At the simplest level, online learning includes what are considered passive-learning technologies: podcasts, videos, webinars, and written works. For topics not requiring complex cognitive application or reasoning skills, these are fi ne. These elements are found in both simple and advanced courses, but the active learning course is built to allow the student to interact with the course and participate in more sophisticated learning activities. Increasingly, educators are integrating online elements into their classroom curricula— these are called hybrid courses. This style of learning, in which complex, cognitive instruction is done online and students engage in various activities and practice skills in class, has enormous potential in our profession. Online courses are either synchronous (all students take the course at the same time) or asynchronous (students work alone, self-paced). Scheduling diffi culties are an obstacle to synchronous courses, while asynchronous course activities can be performed any time. Flexibility is the primary advantage of asynchronous learning. A course in which the student works directly with an instructor is called a facilitated course. Like in a classroom, the instructor is available to answer questions, give feedback on assignments, and provide direct one-to- one instruction. Online entry-level courses are more effective when an instructor is available. Most facilitated online courses in our fi eld are offered at entry level. It is rare to fi nd them in continuing education. UNDISCOVERED POTENTIAL The most prevalent online courses currently available in the massage profession are online tests, with supplied materials such as text, video, and webinars that are either downloaded or emailed. These are basically home-study courses with online tests and are considered passive-learning designs because the student does not engage the content in an interactive interface. There is a distinct difference in quality between passive-learning courses and the innovative courses that include branching scenarios, virtual learning elements, and advanced interactivity built into a complex platform. A rather large quality issue with online courses (and home-study courses) involves who authored the course. If the course is not authored by content experts, not designed by someone trained in instructional theory and design, and not constructed by a designer skilled in multimedia course design, then the quality can suffer signifi cantly. Thus, the educational benefi t is seriously degraded. Unfortunately, poorly designed courses create a negative perception about online learning overall. The courses that rely on passive-learning elements, and are not constructed or designed with enough skill and sophistication to challenge and engage the student, are far from inspiring. More importantly, they do not capitalize on strategies and technologies that can completely change the learning experience for the better and greatly improve what students retain and achieve from the course. Not only can students gain far more knowledge with better courses, but their enjoyment and engagement with that knowledge and content—their interest in learning— can be enhanced, leading to a more successful career. APPLIED LEARNING & FORMATIVE FEEDBACK Online courses with more robust development elements can integrate newer ideas in educational/instructional theory and methods. One of these newer innovations is the realistic learning scenario. Technological advances allow for learning THE NE W ERA OF EDUCATION F r e e m u s i c d o w n l o a d s f o r C e r t i f i e d m e m b e r s : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 69 Passive Learning The majority of what is often erroneously called online learning in massage is passive- learning courses. Learners are given materials (for example, a book, PDF, video, or webinar) to study on their own, and then are tested online. No online learning, per se, occurs. Instructional designers argue these are not true online courses. Unfortunately, these courses are so pervasive, many think this is all there is to online learning.