How to Design Better Continuing Education Courses
Continuing education is a fairly broad term that encompasses various forms of adult education at the post-secondary level. Continuing education can be for college credit or, as is more commonly the case, not. Many continuing education courses are industry-specific in that they are meant to offer ongoing training for people working in that field. The insurance industry, for example, uses continuing education courses to fulfill ongoing licensing requirements. Continuing education courses can satisfy students' curiosity and need for self-development. Because of the importance of such courses, it is necessary that the designer or teacher of the course constantly strive to improve them or design them better.
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Study the benefits of teaching continuing education courses. Two assistant professors at Marshall University, Wylma C. Skean and Rhonda Robinson Scragg, contend that there are "a number of benefits that the instructor derives that can be directly related to success in completing faculty duties." This does not include the obvious perceived benefits such as smaller classes or the lack of need for testing. Instead, they list expanded expertise, networking, "real world" exposure, and for colleges, recruiting. Understanding how these courses help you or your institution will help you to create better instructional methods.
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Utilize the world of high-tech media. There are so many different types of continuing education courses that it is difficult to prescribe one method for improving all of them. It is, however, possible to suggest that technologies such as the Internet, DVDs, Microsoft Powerpoint, and the like can all have a positive impact on the learning environment and can serve as necessary supplements to course material. Powerpoint can be particularly effective if used correctly with plenty of graphics, audio, and video elements. Be careful, however, to not let it become a distraction to the course participants by making it the sole focus of the learning content.
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Keep the class engaged. Sometimes continuing education courses become mundane because the instructor is focused on getting through a certain amount of material for licensing requirements or for some other reason. Using a question-and-answer format, group discussions, and other interactive methods for learning can greatly enhance your course.
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Check your attitude at the door. Some instructors teach continuing education courses because it may be a departmental requirement at the school or college where they teach. Sometimes this translates into a lack of enthusiasm for the course material and is perceived by the students as such. Students generally prefer instructors who have a passion for what they teach, so be sure to make sure that you are as enthusiastic as possible at the start of each course in order to foster a more positive learning environment.
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