(PTA 2780)
**OFFERED ONLINE**

 Frequently-Asked Questions 

1.  My computer skills are sketchy and/or I have never taken an online course before.  How can I prepare?

Click to learn more about online courses at LSC (click on “Here’s How”), to find out about the technical requirements, and to assess your readiness to take an online course.  Many students without strong computer skills have taken the course successfully, although they will find the course initially challenging as a result of the “learning curve” about the technology.  Usually after the first week or two of the course, most students can figure out how to navigate the course.

2.     I’ve failed the NPTE in the past.  Will this course help me?

Many students who have not been successful taking the NPTE in the past have taken this course.  Those who have kept up with the work have commented that the course was helpful in improving their knowledge and their test-taking skills.  Several students who had unsuccessfully attempted the NPTE exam two or three times were able to pass the exam after taking this course.  Each student is different, but careful study of course content and attention to test-taking strategy as described in the course will make most students successful on the exam.   

3.     I don’t have access to a computer and/or the internet.  Can I still take the course?

No.  The course is offered entirely through the internet.  Discussions occur and assignments are posted online.  It would be possible to take the course if you had access to the internet two to three time per week at a minimum (i.e., through a local library, university, or internet café).  You could complete readings and assignments offline and participate in electronic group discussions when you were online.  However, for greatest flexibility, regular internet access is suggested.  

4.     Do I have to be online at certain times of the day?

No.  The online format allows you to complete assignments and participate in online discussions at times that work for you.  There is no set time you have to be online.  The system is available to you 24 hours per day except during scheduled down-times for maintenance (these are infrequent). 

5.     How much time do I need to devote to this course?

To get the most out of the course, you should SCHEDULE at least 6-12 hours per week to devote to reading, completing assignments, and participating in the online discussion.  If you have been out of the field more ten years or more, you should expect you will need to devote even more time.  While you can break these hours up any way you like, it is advised to spread the hours over several days each week to improve retention of information (rather than trying to do it all in one day).   Every student is different, but to get the most out of the course, there needs to be a commitment to spending time, on a regular basis, reviewing material and completing assignments. 

6.     I’ve been out of the field for many, many years.  Will this course benefit me?

This course should significantly help clear the cobwebs!  It would especially help if you did spend some time practicing as a PTA after graduation prior to taking time off from the field.  Of course, the longer you have been away from health care the more important it is for you to review basic anatomy and physiology prior to starting the course.  We do not review these concepts in the course.   Students who have been out of the field for almost 20 years have taken the course and reported they found it helpful.

7.     I’ve signed up for the course.  What do I do now??

Here are several things you should do before the class starts, in no particular order.

a.  get your textbook (PTAEXAM: The Complete Guide) from www.scorebuilders.com.  Try to get the most recent edition (the 2010 edition publishes October 1 and promises to have some nice advantages over previous versions, but the 2005, 2007, and 2008 versions are also acceptable).

b.  review basic anatomy/physiology concepts for the major systems of the body.  If you don’t already have a good anatomy atlas, it is STRONGLY recommend that you get one (Netter is recommended). 

c.  find your PTA school textbooks in the attic, dust them off, and get ready to use them as resources.  If you don’t have them anymore, borrow some from a practicing PT or PTA if possible.  Browse them to start clearing the cobwebs.

d.  consider purchasing a PT reference book such as The Rehabilitation Specialists’s Handbook by Rothstein, Roy, and Wolf.  You can find these used through online stores such as Amazon.com

e.  learn more about online courses at LSC, find out about the technical requirements, and assess your readiness to take an online course

f.  schedule time each week to devote to the course.  Mark it on your calendar (the one on the fridge AND/OR the one on your computer/phone, too!)  You will need to commit 6-12 hours per week to this course.  Are you ready to do that???

g.  be sure you have an operational computer with a reliable connection to the internet as this is required.  Dial-up will work but if you can get a faster connection, it will work much better.

8.     I’m having trouble registering for or accessing the course.  Who can I contact??   

For technical difficulties enrolling in or accessing the course, please contact enroll@lsc.edu or connect@lsc.edu.  Please do not contact the course instructor with these issues.  The help desk phone number is (218) 279-2680; hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30pm CST.  See also the FAQ below which includes step-by-step instructions to register for the course. 

9.     The course already started (or is full) and I’d like to join.  What do I do??

There are size limits for the course for a reason, so if the course is full, you may have to wait until the next semester.  However, students do occasionally drop the course shortly before or after the start date and so watching the course schedule (www.lsc.edu and click on “course schedule”) for openings is always a good idea. 

If there are openings and the course started less than a week ago, it is possible you can join in and catch up.  Beyond that, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have LOTS of time to devote to the course (i.e., not working, lots of free time).  If interested in adding the course after the start date, you will need to complete the LSC Petition Form and fax it to the instructor at (218) 733-2105.  Please send me an e-mail at j.worley@lsc.edu so I know this fax is coming. 

10.  How exactly do I register for the course?

To register for the Lake Superior College PTA Basic Refresher course:

1.  Go to www.lsc.edu

2.  Click “course schedule” (left side of the page)

3.  Choose the appropriate semester.

4.  For subject, scroll down and select “Physical Therapist Assistant.” 

5.  Click “submit.”

6.  Find the course, and click the “add to cart” link on the right.  If the course does not come up, it is probably full.

7.  Login to Lake Superior College.  If you don’t have a login, click “create an account.”

8.  On the next page, you will probably have to click “create an account” again, unless you already have an account at another MNSCU school.

9.  Complete the required information to generate an account.  This will give you a username and password.  Save this.  Once you have it, you can register for the course.  You may need to start this process again and repeat steps 1 through 7 as needed.  Continue until you are registered for the course. If you continue to have difficulties, please call the LSC help desk phone number is (218) 279-2680; hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30pm CST.

10.     What if I have other questions not covered here?

For specific course questions, please send your questions to Jane Worley at j.worley@lsc.edu.  If your questions relate to registering for the course or obtaining an LSC ID number, contact enroll@lsc.edu