I am a distance learning student living in Belgium reading the MSc Psychotherapy Studies programme, known as SEPTIMUS (www.septimus.info).  I wanted to share my initial response to the inquiry-based learning methods (IBL) that I have been using in through my course since January 2009.

 

Online research is key in distance-learning. This IBL technique is encouraged in an easy to follow format online via our department website. A study unit is broken down into several sections for each academic week and each knowledge area is given an appropriate title. This, then, provides the link to the course notes written by eminent professors in the field of Existential Psychotherapy. Throughout the text, internet links are provided to expand upon the information. This allows us to engage easily with the subject matter and encourages self-motivated learning. This interactive process affords a growing understanding of the knowledge in a fascinating way. I am drawn to read around the subject material presented and this leads to a more comprehensive progression of my learning. It becomes instinctive for me to research information around the subject matter while in front of the computer. It feels natural to navigate to pages, browsing backwards and forwards, until I am satisfied that I can move on to the next section. There are also valuable links provided in a side bar which take you to more in-depth articles and web-pages associated to the material we might be studying on a particular page.

 

Another side to distance learning is the constructive and effective interaction between the other students studying the unit(s). Effectively this is achieved in two ways. (1) There is a live, on-line chat-room, timed every week and monitored by tutors; it is arranged for each group to join in and discuss any particular points and information, relating to the specific week and is a fun experience getting to know other students in different part of the globe. (2) The course notes have poignant questions at the end of each section for you to digest and research, thus encouraging follow-on study and appreciation of continuing knowledge expansion and learning. We are encouraged to post comments on topic pages. These responses to discussion points, enhance both my own and the group’s learning experience, by working collaboratively and allowing for critical reflection. This significantly improves the learning process and becomes quite addictive, as you to want to share your experience with colleagues on the programme with whom one develops a sense of trust and friendship. You gain an insight into their perspectives on the topics and debates as they develop, which in turn encourage one’s ability to examine one’s own approach to the work and material presented. This is an enjoyable and interactive approach to studying which has developed and promoted a better intellectual capacity for learning on my part; and I am sure this will provide an important base for future research in my career.