NZSAO Online Learning Information

NZSA offers students the ability to take some subjects in online mode through NZSAO Online. You will still have access to your peers and teaching staff, with the same quality learning resources available to all students, yet will be able to complete these at home at a time more convenient to you.

• Technology required to study online

Click on the links below to learn more about your study options with NZSAO Online Learning.

• NZSAO Online Learning mission statement
• Online learning vs the Onsite learning experience
• Offer to both domestic and international student
• List of available subjects online
• Online student support
• important information for international students

Our Mission

Our mission at NZSAO Online is to provide an alternative, flexible learning option for students who cannot learn onsite due to distance, work commitments or other life situations that prevent them from studying onsite. Students are also choosing to complement their current onsite studies with online learning.

The School recognises the increasing challenges students have today to achieve a balance between work, life and study.  As technology creates new ways to bank, shop, and entertain, it also provides a new way to deliver education in more flexible and innovative ways.

However, the study of acupuncture requires students, at various stages, to undertake practical and clinical subjects, only in an onsite, classroom environment.  Students will be required to complete hours of clinical practice putting into practice the theoretical foundation they have learned either  online or onsite.

Online vs Onsite

Online Learning is education delivered over the Internet, using a variety of presentation and communication tools. Weekly lectures are delivered online, and offer students the ability to download class notes, ppt presentations, etc.

Discussion, reflection and debate takes place via discussion forums, blogs and wikis, while the online environment provides students and staff with a number of communication channels, including email, noticeboards, real-time communication via tools such Oovoo, Skype and virtual classrooms using Dimdim.

Assignments are all completed electronically, and uploaded to an assignment drop box, where they are marked by lecturers electronically and posted back to the student via the online learning environment.

Some subjects will require online students to attend an onsite examination or provide a proctor to carry out the exam offsite under exam conditions.

Learning online can be quite different from learning onsite in a classroom. NZSAO Online provides students with a range of online readiness tools to prepare for learning in such an environment, covering topics such as APA formal report writing, technology, study habits, and lifestyle.

For 2010, Online learning is open to both NZ based and international students.

The qualification on offer from February 2010 is the first year of study for the Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture)

BHSc(Acupuncture)

• Registration closes 20 January, 2010.
• There is a $215 registration fee (returned to unsuccessful applicants).
• Orientation Week is from 2-5 February, 2010.
• Course fee is inclusive of GST.

• Normally this is a four year face-to-face course of study.
• Study is divided into two major parts: years 1&2, and years 3&4.
• Years 1 and 2 are theory years with some practical components
• Years 3 and 4 are clinical years with some theory components.

• We are offering year 1 of the BHSc (Acupuncture) online.

• Part of Acupuncture training is a significant grounding in the western medical sciences (WMS) of anatomy, physiology and pathology.
• We will be offering the western sciences of anatomy, physiology, basic microbiology and human development required for year-1 online at this time.

• You must complete all of year 1 study to enter year 2 of the bachelor programme.
• Successful year 1 online study can be cross-credited to begin year 2 Onsite study.
• please click this link to download, complete and return the enrollment forms to the school with your registration fee.

Available Subjects

Year-1 Bachelor

Online Student Support

Each online subject has a dedicated online tutor. The tutor has responsibilities that mirror that of an on campus tutor.  Tutors are responsible for facilitating the learning within the specific subject. Online tutors ensure that management of the online learning environment for each subject provides a minimum level of service.

Online tutors have an array of communication tools and techniques to make sure that all students are supported during their learning. Online class sizes are kept small to ensure greater participation and support.

The Online Learning team ensures that the learning environment is optimised to provide the best online learning experience. It also works closely with all departments in each subject, and with students to continually improve the online learning experience and explore new and innovative ways of delivering learning in the online environment.

Technology Required to Study Online

To access NZSAO Online Classrooms a broadband internet connection, a supported web browser, webcam and headphone microphone are required. Before logging in you will need a username and password, which will be sent to you when you enroll, and after you complete the IT user agreement.

Detailed technical requirements can be found on the Online Learning IT information page at http://www.acupuncture.co.nz/sysreqs/

Important information for International Students

Even after successful completion of year one Online, NZ immigration does not automatically grant a student visa to undertake year 2 Onsite. This is done on a case-by-case basis. Please contact NZ immigration service before enrolling to discuss your details.The visa process can be a long one so start early.  NZ immigration Service