Distance Education at Madras University

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:46:28 +0000

The Institute of Distance Learning at the University of Madras offers a number of graduate and post-graduate levels. Established in the year 1981, the institute has a proud backing of alumni scattered all over the globe. Through distance education system, the institute has courses in both regular and Open University streams.

A typical academic year at the Institute of Distance Learning begins in July/ August and extends till April/ May. In addition to graduate and post-graduate programs, there are courses spanning one year (from January to December every year) as well. The Chepauk Campus of the University of Madras is the main venue for admission along with a number of Spot Admission Centres spread all over India.

The Open University System of the Institute of Distance Learning was introduced in Madras University in the year 1985. This is aimed at providing educational prospects to people who do not have any basic qualification but aspire to go for higher studies. The only prerequisite for admission in the Open University system is that the aspirant should have completed 18 years of age as on July 1 of the year of admission. However, there is a basic entrance examination to test the literacy level of a candidate to join a particular course.

The various course curricula in the distance learning mode are designed keeping in mind the industry needs. The certificate and diploma courses are also meant to enable students inculcate a particular skill set.

All in all, the Institute of Distance Learning of the University of Madras is one of the upcoming institutes of its kind in India.

By: Jasdeep Kaur

Free Nursing Continuing Education

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:06:17 +0000

There are many organizations that offer accredited, Free Continuing Education courses through their websites. These are mostly demo or pre-registration versions. Registration in these sites is free. Once the aspirant registers, the website sends the password by email. This password can be used to access all info, such as the list of courses available, cost and number of hours allotted for each course, and FAQs.

For instance, http://www.nursingmatters.com hosts one pre-registration, free course every month. For November it is a 1-hour course on `Pediatric Psychopharmacology’.

The range of programs offered by these sites is astoundingly broad and include topics such as the following: Age-Specific Considerations in Patient Care, An Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease, Breastfeeding: The Basics, ECG Interpretation: Learning the Basics, Ecstasy: Under the Influence, Latex Allergy: More Than Skin Deep, Perspectives on Childhood Poisoning, Performance Improvement: A Change for the Better, and What’s up at the Joint? New Tracer Methodology. While most courses are of 1 or 2 hours’ duration, some may go up to 8 hours or more depending upon the topic concerned.

Many of these courses use multimedia and communicational platforms such as interactivity, voicemail, video conferencing and more. They also incorporate highly interactive seminars and assessment sessions. At the end of any course, the end user can take an assessment test and get his performance evaluated instantly. All these can be done at any time that is convenient to the end user.

Several Continuing Education organizations offer free courses to nurses, particularly in times of human need. One such course is `Hurricane Katrina: Preventing Infectious Diseases’, a 1.5-hour course offered by Wild Iris Medical Education, as advertised in their website http://www.nursingceu.com. Such courses can be a boon to the community.

By: Richard Romando

Education tips and articles » Aspirant

Distance Education at Madras University

Free Nursing Continuing Education