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July 2008 Clinician's Comments | Practice management Online learning for efficient practice management Learning through online tutorials can greatly benefit dental practices in a number of ways.
For some, the idea of learning online may seem overwhelming and ineffective, but this type of education is as impactive as a seminar or course, and in many ways, more user-friendly. Not only does online learning offer a convenient, cost-effective method for brushing up on old skills and learning new ones, it also empowers users to engage in the learning process at their own pace and skill level. The following article details the benefits of online learning, my own personal experiences, and advice on how others can use online learning in their own lives to achieve success. General benefits to online learning (1) Flexibility The ability to personalize almost every aspect of the experience is just one of the many reasons online learning is effective. In my experience, online learning also creates better long-term results. For instance, “student-centered” learning is offered, which means each student is in control of the content, pace, and timing of the lessons. Everyone learns differently; some people are driven by visuals, while others respond better to audio. Online learning adapts to these differences by allowing each user to tailor the experience to fit one’s own needs and preferences. This flexibility assists individuals in feeling comfortable with the lesson, and it also increases understanding. (2) Availability
In general, online courses are created to be accessible 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This means a busy individual could participate in a course whenever it is most convenient. The electronic format of online learning enables users to save or print materials and lecture notes directly from the Internet. Because these resources are available “on demand,” users have constant access to an endless array of content and specialized topics that often are not available in a traditional classroom format. (3) Great for shy individuals Online learning can benefit individuals who tend to be a bit more reserved in a traditional classroom or are intimidated by instructors. A sense of equity is developed through anonymity, removal of common distractions, and equal opportunities to post comments and ask questions. This type of environment often increases participation while reinforcing direct communication and aiding in the retention of materials presented to the students. In addition, the availability of the instructor through e-mail and Web-based chat sessions gives users increased accessibility and less intrusive methods of asking questions, which benefits both students and instructors. (4) Cost-effectiveness Online learning gives users increased access to continuing education with a variety of course topics. When compared with traditional methods, online learning usually is less expensive and the cost for enrolling in courses often is minimal, if there’s any cost at all. There also are no costs associated with travel or for purchasing course materials such as books. In addition, students benefit from having a diverse range of expert instructors with very specific, practical knowledge of the course they are teaching. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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