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#65015 - 03/24/07 11:05 AM
AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
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decem
New Member
Registered: 12/19/03
Posts: 24
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coding schools.
The AHIMA site has the information step by step, and it is all so clear. With Andrews, does the final exam need to be proctored also?
Thanks.
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#65059 - 03/24/07 06:13 PM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: decem]
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Redpen
Member
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 932
Loc: Virtual Oklahoma!
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Hi, Decem,
Andrews exams do not require a proctor. That might sound odd, so I'll explain.
When schools require an exam to be proctored, they do so in order to prove that the student did the exam themselves, without cheating using unauthorized materials or aid from someone else.
While we do want our students to do their own work without cheating or aid from others, we don't find proctored exams to be necessary in demonstrating this.
The main reason it's not necessary is that we have actual instructors who work with students to ensure, from the first day and in every lesson, test, or assignment, that the student is learning at an optimal level. Each lesson is topped off by an assignment and/or test in which the student has a chance to demonstrate what they've learned and what they still aren't sure of. The instructor reviews this to ensure that not only are the right answers provided, but the student got there the right way and for the right reasons. Our students, even when they get 100% on a test, may be asked to explain material further or consider an answer in relation to something else in order to learn something more. They may be given supplemental work to do.
We don't need to wait for a final exam to be sure a student is learning--we know they're learning from the day they enroll because we can see it. Neither do we need to proctor in order to be sure the student is doing their own work. Someone would be hard put to find an accomplice willing to do all that work for them. In any event, after seeing all that work from a student, our instructors can tell immediately if the student did the work or not. You might not believe that we can "see" who's doing the work just as surely as if we were in the room with them, but we really can.
We teach material thoroughly and expect mastery-level learning from our students. Not just 70%-is-passing. Not just 90%-is-still-an-A. We look for 95% or better achievement and our students rise to the occasion. We're sure our students learn because they demonstrate it over and over again.
We don't use any online "teaching" programs, either. We evaluated a number of them--by working completely through them screen by screen--and thought they were dreadful. They did not cover the material thoroughly, were riddled with errors and inconsistencies, had little bearing on the reality of coding as an occupation, and were so difficult to use that exam scores were nearly meaningless.
That's not to say that our books and instructors don't make errors, but when we do it's an opportunity for the student to challenge and discuss . . . to everyone's benefit.
Here are some Andrews features. We teach coding throughout the course, not just as one or two isolated courses. We teach outpatient physician services coding separately from inpatient hospital coding. This helps you keep the differences straight. We actually repeat ICD-9 coding twice in order to do this, ensuring that you have a firm grasp of ICD-9 coding.
We don't require Anatomy and Physiology as a prerequisite, since we teach it in the course itself. We teach the basic sciences in parallel with coding material, so that you have a reason to learn the basic science material (you can see why you need it and how it relates to coding) and so that it helps explain the coding. We don't use any "light" or "watered-down" versions of any textbooks in any subject--not in coding, not in the basic sciences, and not in reimbursement.
Our website doesn't explain everything, I know. Please feel free to call Linda Andrews with questions or email us. You can talk to her without worrying she'll try to "sell" you on the program.
Our concern is that you find a program that is a good fit for you, rather than getting you to enroll in our program. That's why our website is a little vague. We don't want anyone to enroll on an impulse. We want you to call so that you can be sure we're a good fit for you. Or not!
_________________________
Redpen
(The Andrews School)
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#65078 - 03/25/07 07:51 AM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: Redpen]
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decem
New Member
Registered: 12/19/03
Posts: 24
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Thank you, Redpen.
I like to see it all laid out so I know exactly what I am getting into. I am not a talker, and if it is not there for me to see, I will not pursue it. I figure if they don't care enough to put it on their website... I do judge that way.
You should consider updating. Andrews' reputation and your thorough explanation and dedication don't match the website. It is mediocre.
That is just my opinion!
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#65092 - 03/25/07 12:30 PM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: decem]
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Gisele Dubson
Member
Registered: 05/28/99
Posts: 5608
Loc: Boulder, CO, USA
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You won't enroll in a program unless ALL of your questions are answered by a website? I can't imagine making such a committment without talking to someone at the school. With any program you pursue, you will have to ask questions at some point. Be sure to check into the reputations of the programs you are thinking of enrolling in. I'm a member of AHIMA, but I wouldn't enroll in their coding program without asking a few questions of them first. Best of luck to you in your studies.
_________________________
Gisele F. Dubson, RHIA, Mercury Medical Communications
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#65094 - 03/25/07 01:04 PM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: Gisele Dubson]
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Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3468
Loc: At the computer - where else?
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I consider websites to be a good starting point, but with a decision like this, I'd definitely want to actually talk to someone. Now if a site owner doesn't care enough to put information on about how to contact someone, that's when I would balk.
There's no good way to make a website that works for everyone - some dislike websites with "too much" information to read through and say "Just give me the basics," and some dislike sites with "too little."
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#65114 - 03/25/07 04:58 PM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: decem]
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Linda Andrews CMT
Moderator-Andrews School
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 5006
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK US
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I have to admit that I am not happy with the coding section of our web site. We do so much more than we have been able to put in words on the web site. However, I was talking by e-mail to Redpen just last week about completely overhauling the web site coding course description.
The course is great! My description of it on our web site is boring. I admit it. {sigh} Changing the description has not been a priority for us while we have been working very hard to make sure the course was as thorough and effective as we can get it.
I think we can do better on the web site description now that we have evaluated and polished that course for several years. The new and more detailed course description probably won't happen on the web site until I get this year's licensing package completed and submitted. Then I'll see if we can do a better job of representing our coding course there as well as continuing to send out information by e-mail on request.
In the meantime, you are welcome to write to me for more information about the coding course.
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#75242 - 06/29/07 12:27 PM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: decem]
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SkyPilot
New Member
Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 22
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I like to see it all laid out so I know exactly what I am getting into. I am not a talker, and if it is not there for me to see, I will not pursue it. I figure if they don't care enough to put it on their website... I do judge that way.
You should consider updating. Andrews' reputation and your thorough explanation and dedication don't match the website. It is mediocre.
Don't judge any book by its cover--especially THIS book, or school. You're actually doing yourself a great disservice.
You'll find a great many websites that are visually exciting, stimulating, and tell you what a great course they supposedly offer.
Some folks have found out that they've put their time and money into a matchbook-type school that offers little hope of obtaining or persuing their goals without further education.
Unfortunately, many people find out after the fact that all those snazzy features that induced them to "enroll here" were just that--advertising and psychological ploys specifically designed to part you and your money.
Those "schools" are concerned only with profits. Andrews, however, is concerned only with the quality of education.
True, the website does need to be worked on. However, which would you prefer to invest your time and money in? ...A mediocre (at best) school with a super-duper snazzy website...OR...A super-duper school with a mediocre website?
_________________________
Andrews School Grad (8/2008)
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#75414 - 07/01/07 04:42 PM
Re: AHIMA or Andrews. I am looking at both for sm
[Re: decem]
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JJ3
Member
Registered: 04/01/01
Posts: 152
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I am looking into Andrews. Is anyone a student now for the coding course? I am wondering if this is something I can do while working full time. I hear it is very intense. Any students or grads willing to share their experiences? Thank you!
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Moderator: Linda Andrews CMT
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