Computer-based learning objects in healthcare: the student experience

Web-based computer learning objects, such as Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs), are becoming more commonplace in nursing and medical education. However, evaluation of RLOs specifically has been limited. The aim of the study was to determine how RLOs impact on the student learning experience and to compare the use and evaluation of RLOs by nursing and medical students. An online questionnaire survey was completed by 233 students (163 nursing and 73 medical). RLOs were more commonly used by nursing students than medical students. Students in both disciplines valued RLOs for flexibility of learning, as revision aids, and to supplement classroom-based learning. Nursing and medical students have different learning needs, and developing materials at the right level of learning is important. Barriers to the use of RLOs included lack of IT competence, technical difficulties, and lack of staff awareness of computer-based learning aids

KIND Communication: An Educational Intervention to Raise Nurse Resident\u27s Awareness Towards Decreasing Implicit Bias Through Effective Communication Strategies

Background: There is an increasing need for healthcare institutions to become more aware of how provider biases can affect patient outcomes and contribute to health care disparities for Black and other diverse populations. Implicit biases can result in poor patient outcomes and a breakdown in trust between patients and health care providers. Purpose: To educate nurse residents on the use of the Kinesics, Inclusive, Non-biased and Deliverable KIND, Communications technique to decrease biases during interactions. Methods: Nurses enrolled in the institutions Nurse Residency program participated in the training session during their monthly educational meeting. Education was provided using a power-point presentation which included videos and open-dialogue discussions. The nurses were administered the Cultural Assessment Screening tool and asked about the trainings effect. Results: A total of 32 nurse residents attended the programming with a yield of 19 paired pre and post-tests for cultural awareness. Although scores for culture awareness increased the change was not significant (p-.551). Open ended responses were positive including that hearing the personal experiences of others aided in their ability to reflect on their own biases was valuable and that the film shared on the experience of being Black was eye opening. Discussion: The modest changes on cultural awareness and written responses to the open-ended question may indicate benefits in utilizing KIND communication in practice. Increasing awareness of unconscious attitudes towards racial groups through storytelling and gaining understanding of one’s own biases by hearing the lived experiences of others

Understanding Accessibility as a Process through the Analysis of Feedback from Disabled Students

Accessibility cannot be fully achieved through adherence to technical guidelines, and must include processes that take account of the diverse contexts and needs of individuals. A complex yet important aspect of this is to understand and utilise feedback from disabled users of systems and services. Open comment feedback can complement other practices in providing rich data from user perspectives, but this presents challenges for analysis at scale. In this paper, we analyse a large dataset of open comment feedback from disabled students on their online and distance learning experience, and we explore opportunities and challenges in the analysis of this data. This includes the automated and manual analysis of content and themes, and the integration of information about the respondent alongside their feedback. Our analysis suggests that procedural themes, such as changes to the individual over time, and their experiences of interpersonal interactions, provide key examples of areas where feedback can lead to insight for the improvement of accessibility. Reflecting on this analysis in the context of our institution, we provide recommendations on the analysis of feedback data, and how feedback can be better embedded into organisational processes

Effectiveness of a Program Based on A Multi-Sensory Strategy in Developing Visual Perception of Primary School Learners with Learning Disabilities: A Contextual Study of Arabic Learners

The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of a program based on a multi-sensory strategy in developing of visual perception for primary school learners with learning disabilities. The study employed the quasi-experimental method on the experimental group of learners. A training program based on multi-sensory strategy was employed on a group of third and fourth graders (n = 30) who were exposed to draw upon their sensorimotor memories and familiarities to recognize the mentally stimulating texts. The other group of 30 learners i.e. the control group was exposed to the regular reading comprehension instructions. Pre-to-post test differences were examined in terms of the learners’ visual perception to evaluate the teaching’s effectiveness. The results illustrates that there is a difference in the level of visual perception skills of the learners of both groups. And the differences were in favor of multi-sensory strategy. The findings of this study suggest that it is constructive for learners to connect their sensorimotor experiences to the text/or the reading materials they are exposed to

Meeting technological challenges? Design and technology in schools 2007–10

Using evidence from Her Majesty’s Inspectors’ focused surveys of primary and secondary schools, this report evaluates the provision of design and technology (D&T) in the curriculum. Most pupils in all of the schools visited enjoyed designing and making products, solving problems and seeing their ideas taking shape. Achievement and provision in D&T were good in about two thirds of the primary schools and just under half of the secondary schools, particularly where up-to-date technologies were used and explained accurately to pupils. However, a lack of subject-specific training for teachers undermined efforts to develop pupils’ knowledge and skills, particularly in using electronics, developing control systems and using computers to aid designing and making. The report also addresses the challenges presented to schools in modernising the D&T curriculum so that it keeps pace with global technological development