survey of schools and colleges of optometry: use of the internet for delivering on-line continuing...
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Survey of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Survey of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Use of the Internet for Delivering On-line Continuing Education Use of the Internet for Delivering On-line Continuing Education
N. Scott Gorman, O.D., M.S., Ed.D. N. Scott Gorman, O.D., M.S., Ed.D. Nova Southeastern University College of OptometryNova Southeastern University College of Optometry
Fort Lauderdale, FloridaFort Lauderdale, Florida
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry plans to develop on-line continuing education (CE) courses in 2004. It was important to obtain information about the use of the Internet for delivering on-line CE courses by other schools and colleges of optometry so that effective courses could be developed.
A mail questionnaire was sent to the dean or president of each of the 17 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States. The survey was completed by the person in charge of continuing education at each institution, and it was submitted by all institutions (100% response rate).
Seven (41%) of the institutions reported that they offer on-line CE courses. Eight (80%) reported that they plan to do so within three years. The format of the courses include text only, text with tables and/or graphics, hypertext with tables and/or graphics, full-text journal articles, case presentations, and Web-based courses with CD-ROM.
Results (A) Conclusions
• Determine which optometry schools deliver on-line CE courses now or plan to in the future
• Determine why schools have discontinued delivering on-line CE courses
• Determine URLs of CE courses or the names of the CMSs that are used to deliver courses
• Determine information about the course formats being used
• Determine the fee structures used for courses and examinations
• Determine methods used for testing • Determine methods used to certify
course completion• Determine course completion rates• Determine opinions of the cost-
effectiveness of on-line course versus face-to-face course delivery
• Determine participants' satisfaction with on-line courses
Objectives of SurveyIllinois College of Optometry2,3
Indiana University School of Optometry1
Inter American University of Puerto Rico2,3
Michigan College of Optometry2,3
New England College of Optometry2,3
Northeastern State University College of Optometry1
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry2,3
The Ohio State University College of Optometry2
Pacific University College of Optometry1
Pennsylvania College of Optometry1
Southern California College of Optometry2,3
Southern College of Optometry2
State University of New York College of Optometry1
University of Alabama School of Optometry2,3
UC Berkeley School of Optometry1
University of Missouri College of Optometry1
University of Houston College of Optometry2,3
1Currrently offers on-line CE courses2Does not currently offer on-line CE courses3Plans to offer on-line CE courses within three years
School & Colleges Surveyed Don’t Deliver On-line CE• Lack of interest by ODs• Lack of interest by faculty• Lack of adequate staff support• Too costly• Financial viability• Lack of technology
No institutions reported the use of interactive case presentations, audio and text, audio slideshows, video lectures, Webcasts, or multi-media. The fee charged for courses ranged from $15 to $30 per credit hour. All institutions offered post-course tests. The relative cost of developing on-line CE courses varied. A visit to each of the institutions’ homepages revealed that only one has a significant on-line CE presence.
All but one institution either offers or plans to offer on-line CE courses during the next three years. A large majority of on-line courses are offered by one institution. The format of the courses at all institutions varies, and none appear to be interactive. All courses offered by the schools and colleges of optometry are eligible for COPE qualification, and therefore, they may be accepted by all 50 states to meet CE requirements for relicensure.
Results (B)
Course Delivery• Web-sites• eCollege (CMS)• Blackboard (CMS)
Web-Site Developers• Staff members• Instructors• Information technologists• Combination
Course Formats• Text only• Text with tables & graphics• Hypertext with tables & graphics• Full-text journal articles• Case presentations• On-line with CD-ROM
Course Fees
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
Pe
r C
EU
Test Fees - $25
Question Format• Multiple-Choice• True-False• Fill-in-the-Blank• Short Answer
Test Administration• On-line Forms• Printable
Test Return• Downloadable• E-Mail• Snail Mail
Seek State Board Approval• 4 - All Courses• 2 - Some of Courses• 1 - No Courses
Seek COPE Approval • 3 - 7 All Courses• 3 - 7 Some of Courses• 1 - 7 No Courses
Relative Development Cost• 3 - Relatively Higher• 3 - Relatively Lower• 1 - Unknown
Relative Delivery Cost• 1 - Relatively Higher• 5 - Relatively Lower• 1 - Unknown
Certificates of Completion• Downloadable• Snail mail
Test Pass Rate – First Try• 4 - 90% - 90%• 1 - 70% - 80%• 2 - Unknown
Instructor Compensation• 50/50• Set Fee• Hourly Rate
• Prep-Time and Creativity• Pre-Time and Updates
Purpose Methods
Satisfaction – Satisfied