Developing distance learning in postgraduate public health education

Background: Adapting a postgraduate public health course which relies on a lot of classroom contact into one with a high proportion of distance learning Is complex and there is little published literature available which focuses on this type of course development in public health. This paper examines the experience of converting the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of Liverpool into one that combines both distance learning and contact time in the classroom. Methods: The methods section is divided Into 3 parts. Part 1 (structure) examines the importance of systematic planning prior to course development. Part 2 (process) describes staff training and development, writing, piloting and production of materials, methods of delivery and student support and Part 3 (outcomes) describes the model of evaluation used. Results: This section presents the preliminary results of the evaluation of the new course and implications for future development. The main issues arising from the evaluation include excessive demands in terms of student study time, some inconsistency in materials and teaching, varying levels of experience among students and the importance of ensuring integration of learning objectives where a modular approach is used. Conclusions: The evidence from the educational literature on the value of distance learning is supported by the experience of the Liverpool course. Distance learning based courses offer an important way forward for academic institutions throughout Europe which are becoming increasingly market driven and resource conscious. They also offer an important medium for the current development of Europe-wide postgraduate education. Keywords: course development, distance learning, MPH -European academic institutions providing postgraduate degrees in public health are currently under substantial pressure to revise their mode of course delivery for a number of reasons. • Modularisation offers two important advantages: greater flexibility in student learning and 'off the shelf materials which facilitate sharing of educational processes between departments and institutions. • Ever-increasing budgetary restrictions mean that it is becoming more difficult to identify resources in order to release health professionals from their work commitments to attend degree courses. • Master of Public Health (MPH) courses are under pressure to integrate student learning more effectively with work-place responsibilities. • Increasing flexibility is being demanded by students who wish to undertake study at more than one academic institution. * D.L Starustreet1 , N.G. Bruce', I. Taylor" 1 Department of Publk Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK 2 Department of Education, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK Correspondence Debbi L Stanistreet, Lecturer in Public Health. Department of Public Hearth, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK, tel. , fax , e-mail: debblW • It is becoming recognised diat postgraduate public health training should encourage students to develop greater ability to manage their learning. • Over the last 10 years, the World Health Organisation, Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region and the European Commission have been working towards uniformity in European-level accreditation for postgraduate public health courses and shared sites for European MPH degrees. This has resulted in die need to develop shared modules and distance learning packages among European institutions. Literature on adult learning ^ stresses the importance of developing a learning environment which involves the following. • Decreasing dependence on others by having individuals take responsibility for dieir own development. • Providing opportunities to promote active enquiry which enables individuals to build understanding in terms of dieir own professional experience. • Reinforcing individuals by providing a supportive climate, ongoing feedback on development and opportunities for active participation. This type of learning environment is of particular relevance in the professional development of practi- by guest on March 6, 2016 Distance learning in public health education