Survey of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Use of the Internet for Delivering On-line Continuing Education N. Scott Gorman, O.D., M.S., Ed.D. Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry Fort Lauderdale, Florida Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry plans to develop on-line continuing education (CE) courses in It was important to obtain information about the use of the Internet for delivering on-line CE courses by other schools and colleges of optometry so that effective courses could be developed. A mail questionnaire was sent to the dean or president of each of the 17 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States. The survey was completed by the person in charge of continuing education at each institution, and it was submitted by all institutions (100% response rate). Seven (41%) of the institutions reported that they offer on-line CE courses. Eight (80%) reported that they plan to do so within three years. The format of the courses include text only, text with tables and/or graphics, hypertext with tables and/or graphics, full-text journal articles, case presentations, and Web-based courses with CD-ROM. Results (A)Conclusions Determine which optometry schools deliver on-line CE courses now or plan to in the future Determine why schools have discontinued delivering on-line CE courses Determine URLs of CE courses or the names of the CMSs that are used to deliver courses Determine information about the course formats being used Determine the fee structures used for courses and examinations Determine methods used for testing Determine methods used to certify course completion Determine course completion rates Determine opinions of the cost- effectiveness of on-line course versus face-to-face course delivery Determine participants' satisfaction with on-line courses Objectives of Survey Illinois College of Optometry 2,3 Indiana University School of Optometry 1 Inter American University of Puerto Rico 2,3 Michigan College of Optometry 2,3 New England College of Optometry 2,3 Northeastern State University College of Optometry 1 Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry 2,3 The Ohio State University College of Optometry 2 Pacific University College of Optometry 1 Pennsylvania College of Optometry 1 Southern California College of Optometry 2,3 Southern College of Optometry 2 State University of New York College of Optometry 1 University of Alabama School of Optometry 2,3 UC Berkeley School of Optometry 1 University of Missouri College of Optometry 1 University of Houston College of Optometry 2,3 1 Currrently offers on-line CE courses 2 Does not currently offer on-line CE courses 3 Plans to offer on-line CE courses within three years School & Colleges SurveyedDon’t Deliver On-line CE Lack of interest by ODs Lack of interest by faculty Lack of adequate staff support Too costly Financial viability Lack of technology No institutions reported the use of interactive case presentations, audio and text, audio slideshows, video lectures, Webcasts, or multi-media. The fee charged for courses ranged from $15 to $30 per credit hour. All institutions offered post-course tests. The relative cost of developing on-line CE courses varied. A visit to each of the institutions’ homepages revealed that only one has a significant on-line CE presence. All but one institution either offers or plans to offer on-line CE courses during the next three years. A large majority of on-line courses are offered by one institution. The format of the courses at all institutions varies, and none appear to be interactive. All courses offered by the schools and colleges of optometry are eligible for COPE qualification, and therefore, they may be accepted by all 50 states to meet CE requirements for relicensure. Results (B) Course Delivery Web-sites eCollege (CMS) Blackboard (CMS) Web-Site Developers Staff members Instructors Information technologists Combination Course Formats Text only Text with tables & graphics Hypertext with tables & graphics Full-text journal articles Case presentations On-line with CD-ROM Course Fees Test Fees - $25 Question Format Multiple-Choice True-False Fill-in-the-Blank Short Answer Test Administration On-line Forms Printable Test Return Downloadable Snail Mail Seek State Board Approval 4 - All Courses 2 - Some of Courses 1 - No Courses Seek COPE Approval All Courses Some of Courses No Courses Relative Development Cost 3 - Relatively Higher 3 - Relatively Lower 1 - Unknown Relative Delivery Cost 1 - Relatively Higher 5 - Relatively Lower 1 - Unknown Certificates of Completion Downloadable Snail mail Test Pass Rate – First Try % - 90% % - 80% 2 - Unknown Instructor Compensation 50/50 Set Fee Hourly Rate Prep-Time and Creativity Pre-Time and Updates PurposeMethods Satisfaction – Satisfied