Remote Learning: As the World Moves Online, Here are Some of our Newest Online Courses of 2020

The Code of Practice on Dosimetry of Small Static Fields Used in External Beam Radiotherapy course is the first-of-its-kind to be offered online. The course is based on the first international code of practice for accurate radiation doses for cancer patients when smaller fields and more targeted radiation is employed. Unlike many IAEA courses that have open enrolment and considering the advanced nature of the course, potential participants must first pass a mandatory entry exam before beginning the course. “We are seeking to select the right students who will be granted access only after demonstrating preliminary knowledge. This was also mandatory for training courses in this topic that were delivered in person,” Loreti said.

The specialized course for medical physicists garnered more than 200 active students within the first week of its launch in September. The original in-person course was delivered over five days and has been adapted for online learning with recordings of lectures, slides and extensive self-assessments, offering more than eight hours of specialized material. “Considering an audience that is remote, specific lectures were developed and recorded for this course,” Loreti said. “And to ensure users grasped the content of each module, they must pass subsequent self-assessments before progressing to the next module. We do not expect people to enrol and finish in one day. It is a process for the user that aims at ensuring acquisition of knowledge. We want the user to feel empowered as a result of this course, gaining confidence in the acquired knowledge, which they are able to check extensively throughout the e-learning experience.”

Storing used nuclear fuel, known as spent fuel, from nuclear power plants is an important step of the fuel cycle. To improve understanding of the safe storage of spent fuel, the IAEA launched its Course on Spent Fuel Storage in April. “Staff appreciate the more recently updated courses, which focus on clear messaging with updated graphics, videos and quizzes,” said PNNL’s Maheras, who has assigned early- and mid-career staff members to complete online IAEA courses. “One major significance of the IAEA courses is that they provide an international perspective on spent nuclear fuel management, while domestic training opportunities would typically provide only the US perspective.” 

To meet the growing demand and interests of professionals from all over the world, the IAEA also delivered this year various webinar series related to nuclear energy, such as Nuclear Technology Breakthroughs of the 21st Century and Role of Government and Key Organizations in Nuclear Power Programme Development.

Specific to the IAEA safety standards, the IAEA’s newest online safety course provides a better understanding of the basis of safety standards, how they are developed and how they are used and applied in the peaceful uses of nuclear applications.

“The newly developed e-learning course, IAEA Safety Standards Overview, provides an ideal introduction to the purpose and scope of the IAEA safety standards,” said Juan Carlos Lentijo, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety and Security, adding that “the course highlights the safety objective and the ten safety principles that form the basis of the safety standards.” About two months since its debut, the course has drawn 271 participants worldwide.

Browse the IAEA’s online course catalogue here.