computer based education vs classes

[rnsusan]

Where I work almost all the continuing education is done on the computer. The problem that I have with that is that there is no one to ask any questions. I have gone to the nursing education department for specific questions and rarely get any answers.

What percentage for continuing education do you get that is computer based and how much is in person classes?

[hopefulwhoop]

None of the CEs I have had to complete have been in person. They've been on the computer or on paper and turned in.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You're asking about continuing education and "where I work"....if you mean education specific to your facility, I'd think you'd have an education department to go to in order to ask these questions. Certainly HR can point you the right way.

Generally speaking, I obtain CE's or CEU's via the computer, nearly exclusively. Rarely do I attend an event that offers them. Questions aren't asked for CE's online; the information is all available in the text you are supposed to be reading (and from which the tests take their form).

[llg, PhD, RN]

I don't usually bother with educational programs that don't include interaction with the instructor. It's not usually worth my time or money. I would much rather invest a little more time, effort, and money to get a better course in which I would have the chance to ask questions, discuss, hear the instructor react to my questions and thoughts, hear the ideas of other participants, etc. I have yet to find a computerized program that offers the quality of education that a good seminar or workshop can provide. The extra investment required from me to attend "live" programs is worth it to me.

Now ... I feel differently about the yearly mandatory education we have to do in which the content never changes. I am happy to do that very quickly each year by simply passing the computerized post test. But if I want to really learn something, I want interaction with other people. If it's just going to be reading a computer screen, I would rather just read it in a book.

And by the way -- I have taught an online class at the BSN level ... and I currently teach a blended course which is half & half. So I am not totally against using computers as a tool for education. I am just not satisfied with the quality of most online education in nursing.