What is M.I.M.E?
Mentoring Interactive Modular Education
The M.I.M.E. teaching method was developed by Virtual Learning Center staff to cater directly to online students and make distance education easier, faster, more efficient - and more personable.
Professionals and instructors agree that mentoring and nurturing can be the most important contribution to scholastic success. Personal contact through e-mail or on the phone with an instructor can mean the difference between mediocre and extraordinary results for some students. This is accomplished at the VLC through our M.I.M.E. teaching method. Interaction is achieved through online forums where students can connect with each other, and communicate with instructors who have their own boards where they answer course-related questions. These forums were launched to give our students the interactive benefits of a traditional classroom environment. Students are also provided with instructors' e-mails.
The information for all medical courses, and most other VLC programs, is presented in modular format so students can build their knowledge and skills in the most efficient way. Having specific direction on how to travel through the course makes learning at home on your time as effective as in a classroom.
The VLC is very proud of its M.I.M.E. method of teaching and we attribute much of our students' satisfaction with our courses to its success.
The four core parts of M.I.M.E.:
Mentoring: Instructors are available weekdays to give students the chance to get questions answered quickly so they can move on with their lessons. This removes problems sometimes encountered by online students when there isn't a mentor available to get them over stumbling blocks.
Interactive: Forums and chat rooms provide a virtual environment where students can develop camaraderie, toss around ideas with each other, and get advice from course instructors.
Modular: Information is sent to students online in a series of modules that take a hands-on approach, so students get practical experience, as well as instruction and theory. All of the course information is presented in order so that students are fully prepared to advance to the next level. Each module is self-contained and includes a test.
Education: This teaching method has proven to be an effective and efficient way to educate students so they can begin new careers.
