INTRODUCTION

Distance learning is defined as a formal educational process in which majority of the instruction occurs when the student and instructor (tutor) are not in the same place. Distance education may employ correspondence study, or audio, video, or computer technologies.

HFPA uses a blended learning strategy. This strategy makes use of power-point presentations emailed to students as well as two practical face to face sessions.

DOWNLOADS: Information for Distance Learning • Theoretical Workshops
INFO: Theoretical Sessions

INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT

The distance learning program supports and extends the existing roles of the educational institution. HFPA initially offered the course only by distance learning and then as the need for more practical training arose, part time and finally full time students were enrolled. Thus distance learning at HFPA has been in both its initial stages of growth and now it is offered to extend the geographical area and thus gives accessibility to a number of students.

HFPA is however very aware of the following:
• The course offered must be consistent with the institution’s role and mission.
• All distance courses align with accreditation requirements and the quality of the course should not be compromised.
• Courses must have a consistent and coherent framework for students and all regions.
• Academically qualified staff provides appropriate supervision including course presentation, management and assessment.
• Appropriate interaction between tutor and student is possible.
• Student is able to move at his own pace with the tutor however the tutor must “keep the process moving forward.”

REQUIREMENTS

Many students are unable to attend lectures due to distance or job commitments, therefore HFPA decided to offer the Diploma in Exercise Science as a distance course. It is recommended that students rather try and
attend workshops.

Due to the practical nature of the course, students must meet the following requirements:

• Have access to an email or fax facility.
• Have previous experience in a gym.
• Attend a gym in which they know or can get to know a Personal Trainer or Biokineticist with whom they can do their experiential learning.
• Submit workshops 1-3 before attending Practical 1 and workshops 5-8 before Practical 2 and 3.
• Attend three practical workshops in the first year / part 1 and three in the second year/ part 2.

TUTOR

• A distance tutor is appointed who communicates with the student on a regular basis.
• The tutor is available during office hours for all queries.
• The tutor develops a timetable for each semester or individually if student registers in a time other than February or June. This timetable sets deadlines for submission of assignments and dates for practical training.
• The student may have two tutors: a tutor who conducts the theoretical content and a tutor who conducts the practical component. This is done when students are unable to travel to Johannesburg. The tutor who is closest in proximity then assists the student.

COMMUNICATION PROCESS

• The tutor confirms that the student has received his/ her course pack and the power-point lectures.
• The tutor sends the introductory letter (Appendix G), timetable (Appendix H) and list of practical training days (Appendix I).
• The tutor responds to all inquiries within 2 days.
• The student submits workshops before or on the due date.
• The tutor reads, corrects and sends feedback to students within a week of receiving the workshops.
• Workshops 1-3 must be complete before attending Practical 1. The student must confirm attendance 2 weeks before the Practical session.
• Workshops 5-8 must be submitted before attending Practical 2 and 3.
• When all portfolio work is complete the tutor confirms this with the student and submits the portfolio for external moderation.

COMPLETION OF COURSE

• Students have 3 years to complete all requirements towards the Diploma in Exercise Science

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

Practical sessions should preferably be done at the most convenient venue.
e.g. Student lives in Pietermaritzburg – Tutor organises practical work to be done there.

YEAR 1
PRACTICAL 1

1. Demonstrate or work through the practical manual discussing all exercises using equipment as well as suggesting replacements or alternative exercises. Use method of scrutiny. Pay particular attention to technique.
2. Discuss the fundamentals of programme setting (See Part 3 of practical training manual) Go over (practically) the programmes given pointing out why specific exercises are included in the programmes and how the programmes relate to each other.
3. Give the students 30 minutes (more if considered necessary) to work out a programme for a specific sport (their own choice). Pick students at random to present their programmes (this must be done as role play, i.e. one student must be the instructor and another act as ‘the client’. The programmes must be discussed by the group and assessed by the Trainer. All students must hand in their programmes to the Trainer for marking (these must also go into the Research Portfolios)
4. Discuss questionnaires – Learning outcome 7
5. Students must complete the homework listed in Workshop 4 after attending the practical workshop.
   a. Complete assignment 2 (Open Book Chapters 10 to 17)
   b. Do Learning Outcomes 5
   c. Practical homework (Personal trainer): Students must research, document and file in their Portfolio of Evidence: a general programme for a normal healthy individual who wishes to improve her physique and reduce body fat (must include warm up and cool down). Students must document this for Trainer assessment, after which it must be filed in their Portfolio of Evidence. The programme will be presented for peer assessment at the next workshop.

PRACTICAL 2

1. Each student presents one of his/her homework programmes. One of the other students must act as ‘the client’. The presenter must first explain the programme to ‘the client’, then demonstrate and teach each
   of the exercises - giving individual attention to the client as a personal trainer.
2. The Tutor must discuss programme modifications necessary for older clients, pregnant women, and the other conditions mentioned in Module 5 of the theory manual. This must be specifically in relation to
   resistance training in the gym, and modifications must be demonstrated wherever possible.

PRACTICAL 3

1. The Tutor must teach all assessment techniques
2. The students must make sure that they understand all procedures and can ‘actively do’ each one. Sign Assessment forms as student performs each test checking the criteria of each.
3. Discuss any theory questions that students are still having problems with.
4. Book Practical exams.

YEAR 2
PRACTICAL 1

Sports Conditioning
Discuss and perform a kinesiological analysis with the students.
Discuss and illustrate periodisation.

PRACTICAL 2

Special Population
Programme design: general population client, Parkinsons; Anaerobic, Aerobic, Random client etc

PRACTICAL 3

Assessment
Demonstrate all tests in the manual. The students must make sure that they understand all procedures and can ‘actively do’ each one. Sign Assessment forms as student performs each test checking the criteria of each.
Book Practical exams.

THEORETICAL SESSIONS

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

* Completion of all the self test questions and problems at the end of Chapters is required for the portfolio.