We are excited to introduce Dr. James Wheeler who’s role at Brighton College is to serve as Program Chair for Health and Law Departments and Faculty.

Please take a moment to get some insight from Dr. Wheeler by learning more about his view on some key topics:

What is your role at Brighton College? Teaching courses in the Legal Nurse Consulting diploma program, and a course in Medical Law & Ethics.  I am Program Chair for Health & Law, since I am a physician and an attorney and have provided medicolegal consulting services over a broad range of topics for 29 years. I also see myself responsible for bringing a ray of sunshine (i.e. the occasional laugh) to my colleagues who work so hard in administration – especially Rene’, Sean and Sam!

What part of your role at Brighton College do you like best? I love watching students get that “aha” moment when the little light bulb goes off above their developing intellects.

Have you taken any online courses? I have taken multiple online courses over 30 years, in chronological order:  real estate, mortgages, construction management, insurance (certificates in five lines of insurance) securities (earned Series 6 and 63 licenses), and Brighton College/The Paralegal Institute’s Legal Nurse Consultant diploma.  I probably should have developed better hobbies…but I do collect centuries-old books in medicine, law and the humanities, and antique games with my children.

What is some advice you would give students attending Brighton College? “Find your nearest Starbucks…”  Just kidding !  Need to be careful with caffeine!  But seriously, online learning is all about an individual learning how to manage their time and effort, as well as their mental acuity and ingestion of information.

Share one of your favorite benefits of Attending Brighton College? I am an old guy, with two doctorates, a master’s, two bachelor’s, and 11 online certificates – I assure you, I know what quality education looks like.  I chose BC/TPI for its quality, its cost-value, its faculty, and its uber-kind staff and administration.  Seriously, I got more emails from my Student Services rep during my LNC program than half my children!

We are fortunate to have Dr. Wheeler in the role of our Program Chair for Health and Law Departments and Faculty. His strong education background includes:

Juris Doctor, University of Houston Law Center; Bachelors of Arts in Biology/Social Relations, Harvard College

• MD, Baylor College of Medicine
• MPH, Yale University Schools of Medicine and Public Health
• Legal Nurse Consultant Diploma, Brighton College/The Paralegal Institute
• Advanced Mediation Training, American Health Lawyers Association

Again, please join us in welcoming Dr. Wheeler!

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jim Wheeler, who serves as Professor of Medicine, Law, & Nursing, and Program Chair in Health & Law. Jim’s background is diverse, having completed multiple programs at traditional brick-and-mortar schools as well as online virtual education programs.  He graduated Harvard College with a dual degree in Biology and Psychology, then Baylor College of Medicine.  His residency at Baylor was in Obstetrics/Gynecology, followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Yale.  While at Yale, he also completed the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars program in clinical epidemiology and health care policy, and earned a Master’s degree in Biostatistics and Maternal/Child Health.  Jim served on the faculties of Yale, then Baylor, after his medical training was complete, then moved into private practice 20 years ago.  Jim then earned his J.D. from University of Houston Law Center, and has served as a medicolegal consultant for 28 years, having participated in hundreds of case reviews, formal opinions, and testifying.

Dr. Wheeler has participated in online educational programs in real estate, insurance, securities, construction management, medical billing/coding – and completed in December 2016 – the Legal Nurse Consultant diploma program at Brighton College/The Paralegal Institute.

“Dr. Wheeler has written dozens of articles and has given dozens of invited lectures.  Jim is a perpetual student, and enthusiastic instructor, and has enjoyed, very much, these first few weeks with the students, faculty, and staff of Brighton College/The Paralegal Institute”, says Rene’ Folse Nasluchacz, Vice President of Academic Affairs.  We look forward to him contributing to the growth and development of the entire Brighton College/Paralegal Institute community, and he appreciates this wonderful opportunity to work with us all.

With ever-growing to-do lists and schedules that seem to be filling by the minute, many adult learners, who would otherwise like to further their education, are finding that they simply don’t have the time to attend traditional classes. However, eLearning gives the chance to busy adult learners to earn degrees, to improve on-the-job performance, and to develop skills that will help them achieve their personal and professional goals. So, if you are a busy adult learner you may need to consider these eLearning benefits and continue further with your education. On the other hand, if you’re an eLearning professional developing an eLearning course for adult learners, you may want to keep them in mind to ensure that your eLearning deliverable is offering all of the perks mentioned here.

1.   Improves your knowledge retention.

Every learner, regardless of age or educational background, can benefit from a personalized eLearning experience. It gives them the ability to learn at their own pace and on their own terms, which boosts knowledge absorption and retention. They can choose when to move onto the next module, rather than moving along with the pace of their peers. If a busy adult learner feels rushed during an eLearning course, then he/she is less likely to actually acquire the new information offered. On the other hand, if learners are able to learn in the moments when it’s most convenient for them, then they can become truly immersed in the eLearning experience.

2.   Fits into your schedule.

Busy adult learners can access eLearning courses during work breaks, while they are waiting in the doctor’s office, or when they have a free moment before going to bed after a long day. Literally, eLearning fits into any schedule, because learners can access eLearning courses and learning materials when and where it’s most convenient for them. They don’t have to follow a specific eLearning course schedule or attend learning events, and can even download eLearning course materials if they won’t be able to access the eLearning due to lack of an internet connection.

3.   You don’t need to make travel arrangements.

Adult learners don’t have to worry about sitting in traffic to get to a class or taking time out of their busy schedules to arrange for transportation to attend a training event. It’s all done virtually, which means there isn’t any need spending time to make travel arrangements or spending money to pay for transportation costs (gas, bus fare, etc.). Even if a learner has a busy lifestyle or lives in a distant area, he/she can still have access to high level education.

4.   You can customize your learning experiences…

No two learners are alike, which means that no two learning experiences should be alike. eLearning gives busy adult learners the opportunity to get a customized eLearning experience every time, which means that they have complete control over what and how they learn. For example, adult learners can further explore a topic that interests them, master a particular skill set, or quickly complete modules that they have prior experience with. They don’t have to be bored by tedious modules or feel frustrated by challenging modules that must be completed quickly, because they have control over every aspect of the eLearning process.

5.   Doesn’t interfere with your work or home life.

The primary reason that many adult learners, and particularly those who seem to always be pressed for time, do not enroll in classes is that they simply don’t want to have to choose between educational and personal or professional obligations. As such, they miss out on invaluable learning opportunities that, in all actuality, could improve all aspects of their lives. However, eLearning doesn’t conflict with work schedules or personal appointments. It can be done anywhere and anytime, making it possible for busy adult learners to engage in guilt-free learning. They don’t need to miss out on their child’s performance in the school play, or have to decide between an important work meeting and class. eLearning courses can be accessed when the time is right for each individual adult learner.

6.   eLearning empowers and motivates you!

One of the most significant benefits of eLearning for busy adult learners, is that it empowers them to learn and take control over their own personal and professional goals. They can acquire new skills that will help them to further their careers or improve their personal lives on some level. They are able to take full responsibility over their education and this provides that extra bit of motivation they need to become active participants in their own learning experience.

7.   Removes the risks that limit learning potential.

Online learners don’t have to stress about not passing a test or failing in front of their peers. The eLearning environment takes the risk out of learning, because learners no longer have to worry about the fear of failure in public. When you remove this fear, the potential to acquire new knowledge and skills becomes virtually limitless. People are more willing to test their boundaries and to think of new ideas, or to learn through their mistakes, because they simply aren’t afraid of being judged. Mistakes can be a powerful learning tool, because they offer learners the chance to gain experience that they would have not gathered otherwise. eLearning offers busy adults the opportunity to explore a topic at length and expand their educational horizons freely, without any real world risks and consequences.

These are just a handful of the eLearning benefits for busy adult learners. It would be wise to take advantage of the eLearning benefits and make long-life learning your way of life!