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Your message of Introduction to me clarifies the position you have taken in regards to the question being addressed. The hybrid approach to teaching content of the nature of your courses is the best.

I have worked with quite a few universities to launch online programs in the field of Health sciences. Among these are Sargent College of Boston University who have launched a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy and a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy. Then there are Vanderbilt University and George Washington University who have launched programs in Health Care Management. George Washington University has launched an MBA in Health Care Management. The Vanderbilt Program is geared more towards Nurses who want to pursue management positions.

Not all courses can be taught online in totality. The achievement of the competencies relevant to certain professions often requires face-to-face sessions aw well as laboratory exercises that require the use of actual systems and equipment. While hands-on can be monitored by videocam technology, having learners engage in the psychomotor skills necessary to verify that they can actually perform the tasks on-the-job remains vital. I have worked with one institution of which one of its colleges refused to place its program online because it was felt that the credibility of the program would suffer. The field here is Pharmacology and Health Sciences. This is quite understandable as one of the concerns expressed was how comfortable potential employers would be about hiring a professionals in this field who have taken their academic programs online.

Then again, I have worked with Institutions who have launched MBA online programs in which students complete the theory-based content as well as research activities—even group projects from a distance before they participate in a few weeks learning activities on site at the university.

So, Marcia, in conclusion, your judgment is correct; not all courses lend themselves well to online learning.

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