Comments for NCBTMB: Distance Education Discussion Blog Site http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog Share your thoughts on Distance Education in the massage therapy/bodywork profession Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:40:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on What is distance education (DE)? by senseoftouch http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/what-is-distance-education-de/#comment-60 senseoftouch Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:09:08 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=3#comment-60 I have taught a hybrid course with distance education integrated into the lecture course. It was a nice enhancement to the course. I used WebCT software through the school. I was able to enter grades, upload homework, and even put a quiz on there for the students to do outside of class. I have taught a hybrid course with distance education integrated into the lecture course. It was a nice enhancement to the course. I used WebCT software through the school. I was able to enter grades, upload homework, and even put a quiz on there for the students to do outside of class.

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by Marcia Johnston http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-32 Marcia Johnston Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:48:45 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-32 I have been a massage educator for 13 years and have taught both basic massage and advanced training techniques. It is my firm belief based on my observations of students that any form of basic massage education needs to be taught in a real time classroom setting. Feedback from an instructor on such things as depth of pressure, coverage, flow, body mechanics, timing, stroke speed, etc. are all critical components of a good education in basic massage. Once someone has learned the basics however, there are many modalities that are appropriate to be taught via distance education. Aromatherapy and trigger point therapy certainly come to mind, and needed CEUs in ethics could be obtained at a much lower cost. Techniques that highly invasive or involve risk to the client, however, should be reserved for classroom instruction in my opinion. I have been a massage educator for 13 years and have taught both basic massage and advanced training techniques. It is my firm belief based on my observations of students that any form of basic massage education needs to be taught in a real time classroom setting. Feedback from an instructor on such things as depth of pressure, coverage, flow, body mechanics, timing, stroke speed, etc. are all critical components of a good education in basic massage.

Once someone has learned the basics however, there are many modalities that are appropriate to be taught via distance education. Aromatherapy and trigger point therapy certainly come to mind, and needed CEUs in ethics could be obtained at a much lower cost. Techniques that highly invasive or involve risk to the client, however, should be reserved for classroom instruction in my opinion.

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by Denise Artis http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-28 Denise Artis Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:46:07 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-28 I've recently completed DE Massage training which requires self-motivation and a love for bodywork and massage. This training was in theory which took a year to complete. The same amount of time it takes for in-class study. During this time I also apprenticed with a LMT for hands-on training. Obviously, hands-on training is necessary for massage and bodywork. But D E is a great and efficient way to accomplish massage theory! I’ve recently completed DE Massage training which requires self-motivation and a love for bodywork and massage. This training was in theory which took a year to complete. The same amount of time it takes for in-class study. During this time I also apprenticed with a LMT for hands-on training. Obviously, hands-on training is necessary for massage and bodywork. But D E is a great and efficient way to accomplish massage theory!

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by Scott Craig http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-27 Scott Craig Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:10:42 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-27 Distance learning would be a horrible way to learn massage. There is just no substitute for brick and mortar or apprenticeship training when entering the field. In my opinion, DE is appropriate for continuing education only. Recently, FL decided to require F2F for a percentage of CEU's. Some LMT's I spoke to thought this bonanza for massage schools was a good thing because massage education should be "hands-on." Any practicing massage therapist gets plenty of hands-on. Many times--too much. DE CEU's in surgery are quite common. Why would I be held to a higher standard than that? Or is the distance learning CEU's taking a chunk out of the bloated profit made by the brick and mortar schools for providing mandated CEU seminars? Distance learning would be a horrible way to learn massage. There is just no substitute for brick and mortar or apprenticeship training when entering the field. In my opinion, DE is appropriate for continuing education only. Recently, FL decided to require F2F for a percentage of CEU’s. Some LMT’s I spoke to thought this bonanza for massage schools was a good thing because massage education should be “hands-on.” Any practicing massage therapist gets plenty of hands-on. Many times–too much. DE CEU’s in surgery are quite common. Why would I be held to a higher standard than that? Or is the distance learning CEU’s taking a chunk out of the bloated profit made by the brick and mortar schools for providing mandated CEU seminars?

]]> Comment on Are DE courses more difficult than face-to-face (F2F) courses? by therapy http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/are-de-courses-more-difficult-than-face-to-face-f2f-courses/#comment-26 therapy Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:38:12 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=4#comment-26 <strong>therapy...</strong> good style, good graphs, good colors, great content, in the 1 to 10 scale i give you a 11, nice job, hope come back soon... therapy…

good style, good graphs, good colors, great content, in the 1 to 10 scale i give you a 11, nice job, hope come back soon…

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by Patricia Forbes http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-24 Patricia Forbes Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:44:42 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-24 I have been a massage therapist for nearly 15 years. I firmly believe that to be a massage therapist you need to learn how each subject is applied to the working with individual humans. I have had anatomy and physiology at a University and in the massage class room. Both are taught very differently for each purpose it is to be used. I think the original credits for becoming a massage therapist should be hands on. There is so much to learn in how to apply the learning to the body work, how to find the landmarks with your fingers on all sizes and shapes of a real body, how a person actually responds to aromatherapy, how to notice the subtle clues the client gives in relation to how they feel vs what they say, and so much more. There is only one class that could be distant and that is business or how to build a business. I also believe that once a person is licensed they should be able to count weekend seminars or DE as CEUs. I have been a massage therapist for nearly 15 years. I firmly believe that to be a massage therapist you need to learn how each subject is applied to the working with individual humans. I have had anatomy and physiology at a University and in the massage class room. Both are taught very differently for each purpose it is to be used. I think the original credits for becoming a massage therapist should be hands on. There is so much to learn in how to apply the learning to the body work, how to find the landmarks with your fingers on all sizes and shapes of a real body, how a person actually responds to aromatherapy, how to notice the subtle clues the client gives in relation to how they feel vs what they say, and so much more. There is only one class that could be distant and that is business or how to build a business.
I also believe that once a person is licensed they should be able to count weekend seminars or DE as CEUs.

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by Karen Zaharatos http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-23 Karen Zaharatos Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:20:13 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-23 I love it. Free enterprise in the market place. Has anyone attended their state board meetings lately? You would wonder if there is any educational cohesiveness in the field. With the price of gas, and jobs on the line, makes a perfect time for DE for this confused profession. The same quality of education applies to "brick & mortar" as "click & mortar" education. Just because you go to class in a physical setting does not mean the level of education is conveyed and consumed any differently, if at all. All studies lead to the general concensus that the learner is actually more engaged in their own learning, when the responsibility of learning falls with the student. DE if properly implemented can engage all learners; visual, audio and mechanical learners. Hands on proficiency is an acquired experience. Why have continuing education seminars? What can possible be learned in a day or two? To introduce the aspect and then to practice it for proficiency. It is the field experience that follows that proves, or disproves a technique, or success of learning. Most massage school accept anyone who is breathing, including those with an "entrance exam". This may also explain for the short life of a full time massage therapist. In my opinion, massage should be marketed as a part time profession, not intended to pay all the bills, if one still wants a life. It's not brain surgery, it's massage. What made it dangerous is all the branches from the good ole standard of Swedish massage that was taught across the board when I went to massage school, many moons ago. Yahoo! Massage meets the future. I love it. Free enterprise in the market place. Has anyone attended their state board meetings lately? You would wonder if there is any educational cohesiveness in the field. With the price of gas, and jobs on the line, makes a perfect time for DE for this confused profession. The same quality of education applies to “brick & mortar” as “click & mortar” education. Just because you go to class in a physical setting does not mean the level of education is conveyed and consumed any differently, if at all. All studies lead to the general concensus that the learner is actually more engaged in their own learning, when the responsibility of learning falls with the student. DE if properly implemented can engage all learners; visual, audio and mechanical learners. Hands on proficiency is an acquired experience. Why have continuing education seminars? What can possible be learned in a day or two? To introduce the aspect and then to practice it for proficiency. It is the field experience that follows that proves, or disproves a technique, or success of learning. Most massage school accept anyone who is breathing, including those with an “entrance exam”. This may also explain for the short life of a full time massage therapist. In my opinion, massage should be marketed as a part time profession, not intended to pay all the bills, if one still wants a life. It’s not brain surgery, it’s massage. What made it dangerous is all the branches from the good ole standard of Swedish massage that was taught across the board when I went to massage school, many moons ago. Yahoo! Massage meets the future.

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by NiaMalika http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-20 NiaMalika Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:17:09 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-20 However Initial training in the field of Massage and BodyWork requires HANDS ON AND SUPERVISED coursework. After one has completed the required amount of hours in an Hands on program with reputable instructors , I do feel that DE is a helpful and essential tool for Massage And BodyWork Professionals to stay abreast in their chosen field. However Initial training in the field of Massage and BodyWork requires HANDS ON AND SUPERVISED coursework. After one has completed the required amount of hours in an Hands on program with reputable instructors , I do feel that DE is a helpful and essential tool for Massage And BodyWork Professionals to stay abreast in their chosen field.

]]> Comment on Is distance education appropriate for the field of massage therapy? by NiaMalika http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/is-distance-education-appropriate-for-the-field-of-massage-therapy/#comment-19 NiaMalika Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:11:49 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=5#comment-19 I believe DE is an excellent tool for massage and bodywork professionals to stay abreast of their field of work ! I believe DE is an excellent tool for massage and bodywork professionals to stay abreast of their field of work !

]]> Comment on Are DE courses more difficult than face-to-face (F2F) courses? by Elroy http://www.ncbtmb.org/blog/2008/05/are-de-courses-more-difficult-than-face-to-face-f2f-courses/#comment-18 Elroy Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:29:01 +0000 http://www.ncbtmb.org/deblog/?p=4#comment-18 <strong>Elroy...</strong> One should guard against preaching to young people success in the customary form as the main aim in life. The most important motive for work in school and in life is pleasure in work, pleasure in its result and the knowledge of the value of the result ... Elroy…

One should guard against preaching to young people success in the customary form as the main aim in life. The most important motive for work in school and in life is pleasure in work, pleasure in its result and the knowledge of the value of the result …

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