Distance Learning...

As a distance learner, I can watch and participate in my classes via my home computer here in Hershey, PA. If you look at the monitor screen, you can see a small square, about one quarter of the area of the monitor. This is NetMeeting. Often the picture I see is a quarter of the NetMeeting screen, but the sound is perfect, and overall I get most of the information I would glean if I were present in the Philadelphia classroom. My classmates need to use microphones when they ask questions or I can not hear them. PowerPoint presentations are difficult to read on the screen, so I receive them via email and display them on my computer. Video transmission requires a very fast modem, so I was forced to invest in a cable modem. I communicate via microphone. I do my clinical with local practitioners - so far this has been in Harrisburg, about 30 minutes from here.My preceptors also proctor my exams. Additionally, much of the case studies are done online via Blackboard, a process that is identical for Philly students and distance learners. There are some problems and drawbacks- for example when the cable goes down and transmission is interrupted. In that case, I receive a video tape of the class through the mail. At least once a semester I travel to Philadelphia to learn hand skills and bond with my classmates.

This is Hamilton Health, a busy clinic that was one of my clinical sites.

The focus of my training is to learn to provide excellent care for expectant families such as this loving couple.