Hello, MY name is Jon and I have been a routine distance learning college student for years. I am happy to be here.
That's okay.. Whereabouts in Missouri are you? I used to live in a little town called Taylor, once upon a time.
Wow I guess! Hang in there! I've been through a few storms in Missouri and as I recall they are nothing to underestimate.
So I actually started a distance learning program for the martial art of Hapkido. What is the appropriate way to communicate that to people here.
I study kempo, although I'm no master, not even close. And I'll admit I've never studied Hapkido. Still, I cannot imagine a means to teach martial arts by distance that would even remotely compare with a dojo setting.
I've been learning and teaching Hapkido for 22 years locally and one year remotely(and locally). You are correct it doesn't compare to a dojo setting. However it isn't without merit. I think for the most part the old DVD systems are kind of lame but our system runs in real time utilizing skype type software. Kempo is awesome by the way, you have my respect!
Well I posted a lengthy reply and it vanished into cyberspace. You are correct that distance learning a martial art does not compare to a dojo. Much in the same way that college classses online don't compare to actual college. But distance learning does have merit.
I think John Bear talks about the DL karate school. You mail in the broken brick to get your black belt.
The difference is that the claim that actual college courses online don't compare to actual college courses in a classroom is demonstrably untrue. It's too bad your long explanation disappeared, because I don't see how knowledge of something that is essentially a physical activity can be moved online effectively.
Mr. Foerster, As I have an online degree from Saint Leo University I have the utmost respect for the power of online learning. I actually prefer it to brick and mortar college. Learning physical activity online is also demonstrable (what a word!). This site is not affiliated with mine so I hope the administrators will permit it: Black Belt Distance Learning | Martial Arts Home Study As for my site I offer white belt training completely free of charge any among you are welcome to give us a try. It seems unfair to judge before you experience.
Rich: "I think John Bear talks about the DL karate school. You mail in the broken brick to get your black belt." John: Rockwell University in Toledo used to award doctorates in various martial arts disciplines with no more work than that.
While that element exists in Distance Learning and in brick and mortar places nowadays it isn't necessarily the norm. It would be a shame if every program were judged based on a couple of bad ones. Ask anybody that attends my program and they will tell you it's work and we do have standards to meet.
