At
Essential Training Solutions, we are very proud of our training
material and are confident of their ability to help you reach
your educational goals. However, our testimony alone has
insufficient merit and consequently we are pleased to be
able to provide you with the following independent reviews:
Essential Aromatherapy
Reviewed
by Sandra Goodman, Ph.D.
Positive Health Magazine, April 1999
This revision
package, both in the more high-tech interactive CDROM form, but
also as a set of 3 stand-alone A4 manuals (N.B. 1/1/00 now only
sold as one complete manual), is an oracle of information for
both the professional aromatherapist and the general user or
researcher with a requirement for detailed information regarding
aromatherapy.
The content of the CDROM version includes features not available with the paper-based
version - Question Bank, Case Studies, Glossary (N.B. 1/1/00 Glossary now included
in manual) and System Introduction - but both versions offer the user a wealth
of information, depending upon their choice of access, i.e. via computer or normal
reading. The main menu of the CDROM contains about 15 distinct topics covering
all aspects of aromatherapy, including Introduction, History, Methods of Extraction,
Methods of Use, Safety, Properties of Essential Oils, Chemistry, Professionalism,
Index of Essential Oils, Blending, Carrier Oils, Conditions and Treatments, Case
Studies, Question Bank and Revision and Exam Tips.
Each of these topics is covered in great detail: for example, with the Index
of Essential Oils, the user can click on any of the oils within the index to
view a page of all its properties. Similarly, with Methods of Extraction, the
viewer can delve in detail into the various techniques whereby aromatherapy products
are produced, i.e. by distillation, expression or hydro-diffusion (percolation).
In the Methods of Use section, the viewer can go through a detailed discourse
regarding the many methods in which essential oils can be used, ranging from
baths, bidet/Douche/Sitz bath to massage, steam inhalation and tissue/handkerchief.
The viewer can choose to view each screen individually by clicking the Forward
button, or can select the Methods Screen, which calls up an alphabetical menu
of Methods, which can then be selected directly which contains the instructions
for that particular method.
In the Case Studies section, there is a menu of interactive cases, whereby the
patient's condition is described, followed by multiple choice answers. Selection
of the incorrect option results in a bright red screen with an explanation; the
correct answer shows a green screen with the explanation. The same format is
followed with the question bank of some 500 questions taken from all sections
of the package.
All in all, highly useful information for the person requiring detailed information
at their fingertips. A few minor drawbacks were that the CDROM takes up 60MB
of space on your hard drive, is sometimes slow changing between screens and the
initialisation process on boot up takes quite awhile. Also, it is a pity that
there is no facility to print what is displayed on the screen; perhaps that will
become available in future updates.
Essential Reflexology
Reviewed
by Geraldine Giles
Positive Health Magazine, May 2000
Essential
Reflexology is a training package intended for serious students
of reflexology already attending a course of instruction. The
package comes in two forms: a hefty manual in a binder, and
an interactive software package on CDROM. These are sold separately,
but for maximum benefit a student would need to use both at
a
total cost of nearly £85.
The sections on the CDROM include History, Principle, The Treatment, Safety,
Hand Reflexology, Anatomy and Physiology, Case Studies, and Revision and Exam
Tips. Each of these is clearly and professionally presented, and provides a solid
basis in generally accepted principles for reflexology. A clear Conditions section
gives detailed information on 72 common conditions addressed by reflexology.
Clicking on links throughout the package will take you to related material, and
the test questions are carefully planned and give useful feedback if you choose
the wrong answer.
The CDROM also has an excellent reference section for any therapist to refer
to for conditions, and a guide to the holistic approach to treat the conditions.
This is well-constructed and search tools are handy, intuitive and reliable.
This package is excellent and would be a very useful aid for use at home in between
contact sessions as reminders and preparing for the next session. It is very
interactive, and searching for information is extremely easy.
I worked my way through the manual next, which was clearly sectioned and laid
out, with plenty of space to add your own notes. Each section contains clear
diagrams and revision questions at the end, so it would be possible to use the
manual on its own if you did not have access to a computer.
Sections in the manual mirror those presented in the software package, but without
the bonus of clear links between sections and easy navigation to take you straight
to the area you want. Similarly, the manual has reinforcement and revision questions
at the end of each distinct section - with the distinction that the software
package makes full use of its potential for interaction, so that learning using
the computer is far more stimulating and fun.
A reference section at the back of the manual includes a number of useful foot
and hand charts, a thorough Glossary and detailed answers to the end-of-section
questions. The Anatomy and Physiology section covers most areas, leaving room
for tutors to develop students further.
While containing much the same basic material as the manual, the computer package
has much additional information and is a far more thorough training aid. In particular
it gives much more detailed information on actual treatment techniques, through
the use of video clips built into the package, showing and explaining treatments
in progress.
If you don't have a computer, the manual on its own is not so informative, but
if you do, the manual is a good backup away from the computer.
Overall the CDROM concept was excellent and fun, and by far the best interactive
tool I have come across for supporting a reflexology course. A beginner could
certainly develop the theory side and have an overview on the practical using
the CD, and the manual would be useful when there was no access to a computer.
The two packages support each other well, but if I had to choose, the CD is much
better value for money and a far better independent aid to professional training.
About the Reviewer
Geraldine Giles is Education and Training Officer for the Association of Reflexologists,
and oversees standards and accreditation for reflexology training schools in
the UK. In addition she is Principal of the Oxford School of Reflexology and
a practising reflexologist herself.
Essential
Anatomy & Physiology - The Elementary Guide
Reviewed
by Andrew Coleman MA Ed(HP) MILT RNT RGN
Anatomy & Physiology – The Elementary Guide
is a concise overview of twelve body systems. It assumes no
prior knowledge, enabling the student to read and digest the
'bite-size' pieces of information in a logical sequence. It's
opening chapter describes the structural organisation of the
body in a deceptively simple way, then immediately tests this
knowledge with questions which allows the student to become
involved in the learning experience. The text is supported
by clear graphics that give the student 'the need to know'
information. The CD-ROM gives a more interactive feel to some
of the graphics by allowing the student to click on different
labels, giving them a further breakdown of that particular
area. The self-testing questions include Yes or No answers
as well as asking the student to type in certain words. This
not only tests the student's comprehension of the information
but also helps improve their typing skills at the same time.
The Glossary contains approximately 200 descriptions of words
used in the text that are both easy to read and to understand.
This is
a 'no-nonsense' package that gives the student a basic knowledge
of anatomy and physiology. Great for first-timers but also
an excellent revision tool for those whose Anatomy & Physiology
knowledge is tucked away in a dusty corner of the brain!
For any questions about this review,
please contact Andrew at:
andrew@colemaneducation.freeserve.co.uk
Essential
Anatomy & Physiology
Reviewed
by Sandy Paul QARANC(V), DIPHEMS, DIPHENS, RM,RN(A)
Essential
Training Solutions have produced a software package that should
be on the shelf of every resource room, whether it be college,
hospital or community. Entitled "Essential Anatomy and
Physiology" it is the most valuable learning tool that
I have come across during the past year.
The package
takes into account the fact that we are not all computer
wizards and to that end, even technophobes would be able
to access the information contained on CD Rom. Installation
is simple (if you know which drive your CD player runs on)
and the introductory tour gives you every mouse click. It
is 'noise free', making library study without the need for
headphones easy.
Simplicity
of use aside, Essential Anatomy and Physiology is just as
it says, an essential part of any educational package as
its contents are aimed at level 2 study but would be just
as useful for older school children studying biology. It
has none of the gruesome photographs that some textbooks
contain but with detailed graphics, none of the important
landmarks are missed. It deals with each of the body systems
and allows the student access to each organ giving its role
and function. Physiology is well presented and inter-links
easily to the section being studied.
Teaching
and learning are a vital part of the eductional process and
this software is also available as a ring bound hard copy.
Both sources contain quiz questions at the end of each section,
which help both teachers and students to evaluate knowledge
gained and to plan further study.
This software
package encourages you to study as its easy to read bite
size chunks do not overwhelm you but lead you through the
body and its systems; allowing you to tailor learning to
your own needs. Whether you are a beginner in the Anatomy
and Physiology field or just wanting to delve more deeply
into the subject, this is a definite recommend. As a staff
nurse I use this package regularly, my old text book stays
on my shelf!
For any questions about this review,
please contact Sandy at:
SanYork@aol.com
Essential
Anatomy & Physiology
Reviewed
by Andrew Coleman MA Ed(HP) MILT RNT RGN
Anatomy & Physiology is a package that bites back!
This builds on Anatomy & Physiology – The Elementary
Guide, but is much more comprehensive and gives a Diploma Level
/ Level 3 depth to the information. It includes the twelve
body systems but also has an expanded structural organisation
section, which includes anatomical terms, positions of the
body and homeostasis. All of the sections are clearly laid
out and the manual almost mirrors the CD-ROM. The same use
of questions throughout the chapters gives an excellent way
to self-test and to revisit the information if the student
is unsure. All of the sections are extremely good, in particular
the Cardiovascular System that gives an ingenious pictorial
representation of blood composition. Chemistry is usually a
subject that strikes fear into the student; Essential Anatomy & Physiology
tackles it in its no-nonsense way giving clear concise information
and diagrams to support easy learning of a difficult subject.
Overall
Essential Anatomy & Physiology is an excellent package,
either in paper format or CD-ROM. It's depth of information
and the clear way in which it is presented allows the student
to read and understand the subject matter in a non-threatening
and, dare I say it, a fun way. It is also a great teaching
tool enabling the tutor to plan and present a continuous
flow of material to the students. Excellent information,
excellent presentation and excellent value for money!
For any questions about this review,
please contact Andrew at:
andrew@colemaneducation.freeserve.co.uk
Essential
Anatomy & Physiology
Reviewed by Massage World July/August
2002
A welcome addition to Anatomy and Physiology – The Elementary
Guide, this disc is 300% larger, taking a deeper look into
all the body systems. Even a non-technical
person will have no problem loading up the disc with the simple instructions
given.
Once installed
you are ready to go and the system introduction shows you
how to move freely around the package. There is over 475
questions; the ones I attempted awarded me with a tick for
the right answer, which gave me a sense of achievement -
great for exam revision.
For those
who would rather work from text than on screen, the manual
version includes everything that is on the CD Rom.
For
any questions about this review, please contact:
The Editor,
Massage World,
5-6 Newman Passage,
London, W1T 1EH
Telephone: 01273 494631
