Distance learning in the health professions: on the verge of collapse or poised to soar?
Distance education provides universal access to education. While the issue of access to education is seemingly resolved, the question "what is the best way to teach?" remains. Thomas Jefferson espoused the creation of the academic village to foster broad, intensive scholarship. John Dewey, Ralph W. Tyler, Malcolm S. Knowles, and Alexander W. Astin echo Jefferson's ideals. To ensure excellence in distance learning, a disciplined rethinking of teaching and a reordering of academic priorities is essential. If consumer confidence in the academy is to be restored, there must be a return to collegial leadership in: defining institutional purpose and resource commitment, improving teacher competence, honing curricular content, perfecting interactive learning, selecting students, and designing outcome measures for both teaching and learning. Then, and only then, will distance learning be ready for "prime time."
Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, AL-130, Augusta, GA 30912-0400, USA. cacampbe@mail.mcg.edu
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D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D020375:Education, Distance; D006801:Humans