Instructor develops state's first on-line EMT-Basic program

SYLVA - Before now, any North Carolina resident who was interested in an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic course either had to find a way to attend when classes were scheduled or else miss out altogether.

But beginning this summer, SCC's Continuing Education division is offering an EMT-Basic course that can fit into anyone's schedule. Jeremy Huffman, the division's EMS Coordinator, has developed a six-month program that utilizes cutting-edge technology to allow students to take classes on their own time and in their own homes.

After completing the program, EMT-Basic prepares students to sit for the state-certification exam as well as for the National Registry of EMT's examination.

"In the field of Emergency Medical Services, hands-on exercises are very essential. This on-line class is not intended to replace any of that," said Huffman, who has developed the program entirely on his own. "We will still have practical days where students will come in and have to demonstrate the knowledge they've picked up while studying at home. But this allows students to get lectures at home at their convenience. It allows people who have always wanted to get an EMT-Basic Certification to do just that."

The new program, which has received a stamp of approval from Ray Smith at the North Carolina Department of EMS, uses "Med EMT" (1999, Brady Publishers) as the main textbook. A CD, also produced by Brady, supplements the text, and all of Huffman's lectures are on CDs.

Huffman uses PowerPoint software and .wav files on the CDs, so students can pop in a CD to see and hear his presentations that help guide them through the course.

Students will receive their assignments through blackboard.com on the Internet, where they can also participate in discussion boards with classmates at their convenience. Huffman said he has tried to incorporate a comfortable and effective blend of human interaction while still allowing students the freedom to hear lectures and work on their lessons around their busy work schedules.

The class only requires around one class meeting each month, and that will be scheduled at a time convenient for all class members. The purpose of this practical meeting day is to give students an opportunity to learn, practice and demonstrate skills.

"Two of the biggest challenges students face in distance learning are lack of motivation and lack of structure," Huffman said. "In this program, students have the ability to hear lecture at times that are convenient to them, but they have absolute deadlines for projects, tests and other assignments. So they are motivated to meet deadlines, and they have as much structure as an on-line class can provide.

"On-line classes are not for everybody," he continued. "But students who are disciplined enough to study on their own time and who want adequate preparation for this certification badly enough will do fine in our program."

The only pre-requisites for this course are completion of a Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers class, a 10th-grade or better score on The Adult Basic Education Exam and a high school diploma or equivalent.