Online Continuing Education Options
More and more parts of the mental health profession are moving to an online platform. This includes continuing education courses, and CEUs, required to maintain and renew licensing statuses.
Today, we are going to discuss a few common questions associated with online learning for continuing education opportunities.
What are the different types of online continuing education programs or courses?
On a basic level, there are two basic types of online continuing education, course options. Those include synchronous and asynchronous.
Synchronous would include a live element to the program where individuals are logging onto a webinar or video platform, all at the same time to participate in a webinar or seminar together.
Asynchronous online courses would include things like viewing, pre-recorded, webinars, working through online courses, composed video, audio, or digital learning activities, and general self-paced course options, as these courses can be accessed by the course taker at any time that they choose rather than a set predetermined time.
Do webinars count as appropriate continuing education courses?
The short answer is yes, there currently are no stipulations, stating that courses must take place in person, and therefore, online video platforms are considered an appropriate way of attending continuing education courses. We of course always encourage that you specifically review the licensing laws for your license in your state, but it is generally seen that webinars and synchronous online learning opportunities are acceptable means of obtaining, continuing education hours.
Do asynchronous online courses count towards continuing education courses?
Similarly, the short answer is yes. According to current regulation, which we are currently referencing from the viewpoint of a Texas-based license, it is acceptable to participate in asynchronous, organized, continuing education, activities, and programs. The specific permission for taking these types of courses was recently reviewed by the Texas Board of Social Work Examiners did made accommodations for individuals to continue earning continuing education course units through these asynchronous course models.
Are online courses an effective way to learn?
This one may depend a bit more on the person. As a professional, it is our responsibility to know, and understand our own specific learning styles, and make sure that we are equipping ourselves with the knowledge needed to perform our job duties well by accessing that information in a manner that aligns with our own learning styles and learning needs. One potential benefit of online continuing education. Learning is the opportunity for individuals to work with their own learning styles and consume the information in a manner that they learn best. (Learn more about adult learning styles here.)
For example, in a pre-recorded webinar, it is possible to rewind or re-listen to certain portions of the curriculum. Many courses have elements of interaction where participants are challenged to answer, questions, participate in activities, or engage with the information in creative ways, and even select the time of day, or the setting, in which you were participating in an online course, which may assist in retaining information well depending upon your learning style and preferences.
