ABDO College autumn block to be online only

Steve Hertz, ABDO College head of operations

At this difficult time, when the situation can change rapidly, the team at ABDO College has been planning ahead to ensure that student dispensing opticians can continue to study and get the valuable input they would normally have from tutors on block release, without uncertainty and risk.

Steve Hertz, ABDO College head of operations, explained: “We have monitored government rules and guidance for further and higher education institutes. Although so far there is nothing specific to the unique distance learning and block release set-up at ABDO College, more general rules around distancing, PPE and group sizes are already being used in schools and in practice.

“We have also considered the fact that many students travel long distances and stay in accommodation while in attendance at the college.”

In order to give students and their employers complete clarity and the ability to plan for the coming term, the autumn term block will be online only.

Steve explained: “Students will still need to book this entire period off work and have access to a PC/tablet to engage with the online sessions.”

This announcement follows a successful three months’ worth of blocks online towards the end of the 2019-20 academic year with overwhelmingly positive feedback from students.

“We feel very confident in moving to this solution which keeps all students and staff as safe as physically possible, our number one priority,” Steve continued. “Students and employers will also benefit from saving on travel and accommodation at a challenging time.”

As already stated in previous announcements, ABDO College’s preferred method of teaching is still face-to-face so the current intention is for the second block to be at the College. Options to keep class sizes smaller are being examined for this situation.

Steve concluded: “Especially when teaching practical elements, we believe that hands-on, in person tuition is by far the best way for trainee DOs to learn.”

Visit the ABDO College website for information about courses. Applications for Ophthalmic Dispensing degree and diploma and Contact Lens certificate must be in by 26 July. Payment plans are available.