For my final project I am re-writing a nursing course. The students that take this course are in their second semester of nursing school. This course is meant to give the students an overall exposure to the magnitude of disease processes and how to care for individuals experiencing cellular imbalances. Currently students learn the material through lectures, case studies, and clinical experiences. Assessments include quizzes and exams. The content and lecture topics will remain the same; the students must be exposed to these topics so they are prepared to care for any type of patient. The delivery and assessment will be different. Quizzes have been removed and students will no longer sit in a lecture hall for 3-4 hours at a time. More time will be spent on the clinical unit and in the community or lab. Students will benefit from hands on learning and actually seeing the disease manifestations on actual patients. Reading the textbook and listening to lectures doesn't put the disease process into perspective as it actually occurs in the real world setting. Multiple choice tests will not be removed from the course as they test the students ability to apply the material. These multiple choice exams also include select all that apply questions, this format reflects the NCLEX exam (the nursing state license exam). There are 15 lecture topics for this course. I will be re-writing the first 4 lecture topics for now.
Topic 1: Leadership
Class will begin with a content expert/guest lecturer: VP of Nursing. She will discuss professionalism and leadership. Following the presentation will be a discussion with the VP of Nursing and the students. A YouTube video will be shown to reinforce the topic and their reading (students will have read Chapter 23 prior to class). The activity following the video will allow the students to apply what they learned demonstrating various leadership roles. Classroom time for this topic will be minimal. To evaluate the students understanding of the topic they will be blogging and posting leadership articles. They will also have the chance to be a nursing leader during their clinical experience the following week. Blogs will be "graded" using a rubric, which will be developed at a later time. For the leadership unit, there will not be exam questions as the students will be assessed as described above.
Topic 2: Immune Response/Allergic Disorders
The immune response and allergic disorders topics were combined. Of the 10 previous objectives only 6 were used which will keep the content relevant to clinical practice. The students will get the information they need without overloading them with facts.The first part of the class will consist of a brief review of the immunity response using basic PowerPoint and lecture. The immunity response is complex and this review will help clarify the material so the students can apply it. To explore the gerontological considerations for this topic, the students will be using their text as well as an Immunology website to develop teaching plans and information guides promoting optimal wellness and immune function in the elderly. Students may use additional resources and be creative in developing their guides. The format can be whatever the student feels that will best fit their learner. The second part, allergic disorders, students will go to the patient units and perform health and allergy assessments. This activity involves them in patient care while applying what they know as far as how to screen at risk individuals for allergies. YouTube videos will support the content which will appeal to the visual learners. The assessment includes a hands on experience in the simulation lab caring for a patient experiencing anaphylaxis. At this point the student will apply knowledge, assessment skills, and nursing skills to care for this critical patient. The students will be evaluated using a rubric (to be developed at a later date). Aside from this experience the students will spend some time at with an allergist at a clinic to see the community aspect of patient care. They will blog about their experience, reflecting on certain areas. This topic will also be assessed using exam questions to prepare them for NCLEX (described above).
Topic 3: Community Acquired Infections
YouTube videos for tuberculosis and pneumonia will be shown in class. These videos will reinforce their readings and allow time for questions to clarify the material. After each video, their will be a class discussion regarding topics related to the disease based on things they would encounter in nursing practice. Osteomyelitis will be briefly reviewed and then the students will have time to research the websites related to the topic and develop teaching materials for patients diagnosed with this condition. In the hospital setting, people are diagnosed with new conditions all the time and a major component of our job is educating the patient about the disease itself and what to expect next. Assessments for this topic will include exam questions. The students will also watch another YouTube video on tuberculosis and then search nursing journals for topics related to new strains of tuberculosis and drug resistance. This enables them to read evidence based research and see how it is being implemented in actual patient care. Another part of nursing is being a consumer of research. Nursing practice is driven by evidence-based research. In addition, students will read a case study on pneumonia and develop a concept map; this allows the students to pull all of the disease process information together and apply it to a patient situation. The student will read an osteomyelitis case study and develop a teaching plan related to the disease.
Topic 4: Autoimmune Disorders
To begin the presentation on autoimmune disorders, the students will watch YouTube videos on patients actually experiencing AIDS, Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. This group of diseases are severely life-changing. Hearing a patients actual story puts the disease into perspective and allows the student to conceptualize the information. After viewing the videos, the students will create a blog post reflecting their feelings towards the videos; this will incorporate the psychosocial aspect of nursing care. Reflecting on your own personal thoughts and feelings decreases biases and stereotyping and allows for optimal patient care. Students will also spend clinical time at an AIDS clinic in the community setting. Disease management in the community is often much different from the hospital setting. Assessments will also include a simulation experience. Simulation patients will be programmed to experience complications related to AIDS, RA, or SLE.This will allow the student to pull all of their knowledge together and apply it to an actual situation.
Overall, I had so many ideas on how I could re-write this course; however it is difficult to pinpoint which activities will provide the most benefit to the students. We are teaching in the 21st century, we have the knowledge and technology to transform how we educate students, the first step is to start with an idea for change.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Upgrading Structures
Over the years, technology has improved, more educational resources are available, and more diverse methods/strategies of teaching are being utilized. Throughout all of the changes, the school day and overall educational approach remains the same. Students go to school, sit in a classroom, listen to a teacher, take tests, and are grouped by age and advance by grade level. Technology allows us to change schedules, space, and grouping of students.
To educate the 21st century learner, how can we use current technology and resources to upgrade school program structures?
Everyone learns differently and at their own pace. Schools have started grouping students by ability and not age or grade level. In USA Today (The Associated Press, 2010), Superintendent John Covington described education as "an outdated, industrial, agrarian kind of model that lends itself to still allowing students to progress through school based on the amount of time they sit in a chair rather than whether or not they have truly mastered the competencies and skills." Students transition from grade level to grade level, going through the motions until graduation. Have we as educators prepared our students for a future in the 21st century? Students of all ability levels (honors level with learning assistance students) are in classrooms together. This can potentially hinder the entire learning process. The concept of ability grouping is not new; researcher, Robert E. Slavin examined ability grouping in elementary schools back in 1986. Hollifield (1987) summarized Slavin's findings, indicating ability grouping increases student achievement and allows teachers to perform more individualized instruction. Ability grouping allows students to work at their own pace and achieve goals based on their skill level. Education can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each student facilitating learning and their success in life.
Learning anytime and anywhere allows students to work at their own level and speed. The classroom setting can be adapted and modified to fit the students needs. The classroom may no longer be located in a school building; it may be virtual or at NASA. Dian Schaffhauser (2009) reported that the Council of Chief State School Officers are working towards a virtual learning experience related to space science and mathematics with support from NASA. The internet and computers are now substitutes for books. Posey, Burgess, Eason, Jones (2010) predicted that "50% of learning will continue to be "in person", involving things only available in person and 50% of learning will take place on the Internet, which is a better vehicle for cognitive learning." Virtual classrooms and internet resources such as Edmodo, Twitter, etc. are opening the doors for many students to facilitate their learning and engage them in the learning process. Students are more likely to succeed at something if they are excited and motivated about what they are doing or learning.
To educate the 21st century learner, how can we use current technology and resources to upgrade school program structures?
Everyone learns differently and at their own pace. Schools have started grouping students by ability and not age or grade level. In USA Today (The Associated Press, 2010), Superintendent John Covington described education as "an outdated, industrial, agrarian kind of model that lends itself to still allowing students to progress through school based on the amount of time they sit in a chair rather than whether or not they have truly mastered the competencies and skills." Students transition from grade level to grade level, going through the motions until graduation. Have we as educators prepared our students for a future in the 21st century? Students of all ability levels (honors level with learning assistance students) are in classrooms together. This can potentially hinder the entire learning process. The concept of ability grouping is not new; researcher, Robert E. Slavin examined ability grouping in elementary schools back in 1986. Hollifield (1987) summarized Slavin's findings, indicating ability grouping increases student achievement and allows teachers to perform more individualized instruction. Ability grouping allows students to work at their own pace and achieve goals based on their skill level. Education can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each student facilitating learning and their success in life.
Learning anytime and anywhere allows students to work at their own level and speed. The classroom setting can be adapted and modified to fit the students needs. The classroom may no longer be located in a school building; it may be virtual or at NASA. Dian Schaffhauser (2009) reported that the Council of Chief State School Officers are working towards a virtual learning experience related to space science and mathematics with support from NASA. The internet and computers are now substitutes for books. Posey, Burgess, Eason, Jones (2010) predicted that "50% of learning will continue to be "in person", involving things only available in person and 50% of learning will take place on the Internet, which is a better vehicle for cognitive learning." Virtual classrooms and internet resources such as Edmodo, Twitter, etc. are opening the doors for many students to facilitate their learning and engage them in the learning process. Students are more likely to succeed at something if they are excited and motivated about what they are doing or learning.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Upgrading Curriculum: The Nursing Process
Nursing Process
What content should be kept? / What is essential and timeless?
·
The
nursing process is a continuous cycle of assessing, diagnosing, planning,
implementing, and evaluating. It is used to identify patients needs, establish priorities, develop a plan of care, carry out a plan of care and evaluate its effectiveness to promote optimal health and well-being of patients. The nursing process can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each individual patient. Based on the patients priority needs a care plan is developed.
What content should be kept? / What is essential and timeless?
- The nursing process is an essential aspect in nursing curriculum. It facilitates critical thinking and allows the nurse to function independently in the healthcare system. Nursing care requires a high degree of skill and knowledge which has led to a shift in responsibility from the physician to the nurse (Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, & Day, 2010). The nursing process is the beginning step, the building block, and foundation of nursing practice. A nurse utilizes the skills of assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating everyday in practice. This way of thinking and planning can be applied to acute/critical care, the community health setting, and/or outpatient setting. The nursing process is timeless and is the standard of nursing practice which is backed by the Joint Commission, American Nurses Association, and the National League for Nursing. NCLEX, the nursing licensure exam is structured based on the nursing process.
- Utilization of the nursing process requires nurses to identify a NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) Diagnoses and put together a handwritten care plan. NANDA diagnoses are actual or potential patient problems identified by the nurse. Examples include: impaired gas exchange, activity intolerance, pain, ineffective coping, impaired nutrition: less than body requirements, risk for falls, etc. Nursing diagnoses are different from medical diagnoses in the aspect nurses are not treating a specific medical condition; only doctors are licensed to make a medical diagnosis based on a pathological process. After the nurse identifies the priority diagnosis a care plan is created. Handwritten care plans are time consuming and inefficient. Nurses often get lost is the formalization of the NANDA diagnosis and the proper format of the care plan. Technology allows us to streamline this concept with the use of computer programs. Formal nursing diagnoses and care plans are non-essential. The goal of nursing practice is to identify actual and potential patient problems and create a plan of care to facilitate optimal patient care; a formal plan is not needed to accomplish this.
- Concept maps and standardized care plans are developed based on a nurses understanding of the nursing process and are necessary components of nursing curriculum. These tools demonstrate a nurses ability to critically think about a patient situation and directly apply it to the clinical setting.
- A concept map is a diagram focusing on actual and potential patient problems and the interventions that go along with the problems. It also allows the nurse to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention and adjust the plan of care accordingly. Concept maps organize patient data and allow the nurse to focus on the holistic view of a patient. Concept maps can also be used in the educational setting and/or as a form of an assessment.
- Standardized care plans are pre-developed plans of care for specific patient populations and disease processes that identify nursing problems/diagnoses, interventions and outcomes. Standardized care plans will save time and promote optimal patient care. Although the care plan will be standardized, it can be tailored to the specific needs of each patient.This form of care planning can be completed on the computer possibly using interactive software.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Literacy in the 21st Century
Literacy, the ability to read and write. This definition of literacy has taken on new meaning in the 21st century. In Curriculum 21, Frank Baker, adds that "Today, being literate also means understanding wiki's, blogs, nings, digital media, and other new and emerging technologies." Learning is not just about reading a book, listening to a lecture, or writing an essay. We have the capabilities to expand learning worldwide. There is a great deal we can learn when we go beyond the walls of a classroom.
Baker added that "Unfortunately, many K-12 educators have yet to realize the benefits of teaching students with and about non-print media, what is today recognized as an important part in 'media literacy.' " Technology has drastically changed and improved over the past 50 years, yet many of us are reluctant to embrace these changes. What has worked in the past, will work for the future, right?...wrong! Technology continues to change everyday. Technology allows educators to reach students of all learning styles facilitating their success in school. More students are excited about and engaged in the learning process. Lectures and essays are a thing of the past; blogs, podcasts, games, etc. are at the forefront of education. Instead of reading about the life of Eskimos in Alaska students can initiate an online chat with an actual Eskimo who lives in Alaska while using Google Earth to pinpoint their exact location. In addition, assessments such as multiple choice exams have been replaced with simulation exercises, student produced movies and plays, interactive websites, etc. Do multiple choice tests and quizzes truly evaluate a students knowledge and ability to comprehend specific curriculum content? Incorporating technology into the assessment process allows educators to evaluate their students in real-world situations which prepares them for their future.
Technology allows the learning process to be limitless. Overall, technology has changed the field of education. Embracing technology is the key to success. Terry Heick agrees, technology has changed education and the way students learn by increasing the access to resources, erasing physical boundaries, and changing rules of communication. Communication is now in the form of texts and tweets. Educators must educate themselves on the current technology and resources available, therefore, they can pass on the knowledge to the next generation of learners and future educators which will help us adapt the definition of "literacy" to reflect the 21st century.
Think about it...How do you define literacy in the 21st century???
Baker added that "Unfortunately, many K-12 educators have yet to realize the benefits of teaching students with and about non-print media, what is today recognized as an important part in 'media literacy.' " Technology has drastically changed and improved over the past 50 years, yet many of us are reluctant to embrace these changes. What has worked in the past, will work for the future, right?...wrong! Technology continues to change everyday. Technology allows educators to reach students of all learning styles facilitating their success in school. More students are excited about and engaged in the learning process. Lectures and essays are a thing of the past; blogs, podcasts, games, etc. are at the forefront of education. Instead of reading about the life of Eskimos in Alaska students can initiate an online chat with an actual Eskimo who lives in Alaska while using Google Earth to pinpoint their exact location. In addition, assessments such as multiple choice exams have been replaced with simulation exercises, student produced movies and plays, interactive websites, etc. Do multiple choice tests and quizzes truly evaluate a students knowledge and ability to comprehend specific curriculum content? Incorporating technology into the assessment process allows educators to evaluate their students in real-world situations which prepares them for their future.
Technology allows the learning process to be limitless. Overall, technology has changed the field of education. Embracing technology is the key to success. Terry Heick agrees, technology has changed education and the way students learn by increasing the access to resources, erasing physical boundaries, and changing rules of communication. Communication is now in the form of texts and tweets. Educators must educate themselves on the current technology and resources available, therefore, they can pass on the knowledge to the next generation of learners and future educators which will help us adapt the definition of "literacy" to reflect the 21st century.
Think about it...How do you define literacy in the 21st century???
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Technology in the Classroom
The world today is filled with tremendous amounts of technology. From i pads to Facebook, what is the best way to incorporate all of the technology into the classroom to benefit the 21st century learner? The first thing to do is educate the parents and the educators. Often times people are reluctant to utilize the current technology because they in fact are unsure how to use it themselves. As educators become more familiar with the technology and the benefits of social networking; resources such as twitter and edmodo can be utilized in the classroom to enhance learning.
Every person learns differently and at a different pace which makes it difficult to teach a lesson to a group of 30 people. Technology has solved this problem, lessons can be tailored to meet the needs of the more advanced learners as well as the average learners. Technology is multifaceted, multidimensional, and adaptable to any educational setting. Now, just as we all have been introduced to all of the new technology available to us, there are more emerging technologies right around the corner. How do you keep up? You can set up a Personal Learning Network to support the lifelong learner in you.
Every person learns differently and at a different pace which makes it difficult to teach a lesson to a group of 30 people. Technology has solved this problem, lessons can be tailored to meet the needs of the more advanced learners as well as the average learners. Technology is multifaceted, multidimensional, and adaptable to any educational setting. Now, just as we all have been introduced to all of the new technology available to us, there are more emerging technologies right around the corner. How do you keep up? You can set up a Personal Learning Network to support the lifelong learner in you.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
RSS Reader
RSS reader is a great way to keep on top of current issues and news in nursing and education. Prior to using RSS reader, I rarely searched the internet for news related to the topics that are associated with my current profession as a nurse. It can be exhausting to search and read article after article. RSS reader pulls all of this together. I have subscribed to nursing blogs, educational websites, and health blogs. The news that I want to read about comes right to me and it is all in the same place. I am finding many resources I can use for teaching but also in my practice as a nurse.
During clinical, I try to correlate an activity with topics the students are covering in class. One activity examines stress and how it affects the body. The students look at their stress as well as the stressors of their patients. After our discussion on stress, we pinpoint ways to decrease stress. I found an article from my RSS reader that I will be able to use to augment the discussion.
In addition, I have found articles that relate to my capstone project, which I am currently working on. For my capstone project I am examining the transition into nursing practice. Overall, it is a quick an easy way to have the most current news, filtered for the topics I am interested in reading about.
During clinical, I try to correlate an activity with topics the students are covering in class. One activity examines stress and how it affects the body. The students look at their stress as well as the stressors of their patients. After our discussion on stress, we pinpoint ways to decrease stress. I found an article from my RSS reader that I will be able to use to augment the discussion.
In addition, I have found articles that relate to my capstone project, which I am currently working on. For my capstone project I am examining the transition into nursing practice. Overall, it is a quick an easy way to have the most current news, filtered for the topics I am interested in reading about.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Google Tools
Google Video
*Google video allows you to search the web for multimedia to use in the classroom to enhance learning and facilitate discussions, in the business setting to support a presentation, in everyday life to learn more about something.
Affordances: Able to search millions of videos, movies, music, and documentaries on any topic by the click of a button. People can add Google Videos to their personal websites or blogs. Parents are able to enable a safe search option to filter questionable content. Overall the tool is easy to use and is user friendly.
Constraints: You need to set up a Google account to use Google video. There is a small possibility that your videos may be deleted. Need minimal operating system requirements for playing videos. Unsure about the quality and reliability of the content provided in all videos.
Google Blogger
*Google blogger is an online resource that allows people to express their thoughts, share their knowledge, share their experiences, and/or network with others that share similar interests.
Affordances: Blogger is customizable and easy to use. It is also easy for people to give feedback and respond to things that are posted. Group blogging is available which can be beneficial in the academic setting. Many people with smart phones are able to post updates to their blog on the go from their phone.
Constraints: Cyber bullying may occur with the use of blogs. People can't control what others post on their blog sites. Confidentiality and other security issues may arise. Some blogs will be marked as spam and will be deleted if the user doesn't take action to correct the issue.
Examples of how the tools are used in learning:
*Here are some examples of how to incorporate blogging in the classroom setting
*Google video allows you to search the web for multimedia to use in the classroom to enhance learning and facilitate discussions, in the business setting to support a presentation, in everyday life to learn more about something.
Affordances: Able to search millions of videos, movies, music, and documentaries on any topic by the click of a button. People can add Google Videos to their personal websites or blogs. Parents are able to enable a safe search option to filter questionable content. Overall the tool is easy to use and is user friendly.
Constraints: You need to set up a Google account to use Google video. There is a small possibility that your videos may be deleted. Need minimal operating system requirements for playing videos. Unsure about the quality and reliability of the content provided in all videos.
Google Blogger
*Google blogger is an online resource that allows people to express their thoughts, share their knowledge, share their experiences, and/or network with others that share similar interests.
Affordances: Blogger is customizable and easy to use. It is also easy for people to give feedback and respond to things that are posted. Group blogging is available which can be beneficial in the academic setting. Many people with smart phones are able to post updates to their blog on the go from their phone.
Constraints: Cyber bullying may occur with the use of blogs. People can't control what others post on their blog sites. Confidentiality and other security issues may arise. Some blogs will be marked as spam and will be deleted if the user doesn't take action to correct the issue.
Examples of how the tools are used in learning:
*Here are some examples of how to incorporate blogging in the classroom setting
*Blogging has many potential benefits for our students and this author discusses the power of blogging in the classroom.
*Here is an article providing a teachers guide to using video in the classroom.
*This link is specific for nursing educators which provides videos on nursing patient care and various nursing situations or other experiences in the field of nursing.
*Integrating YouTube into the Nursing Curriculum
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Curriculum 21 and the Socially Networed Classroom
Updating the current curriculum to support the needs of the 21st century learner poses many challenges for our educators. Educators are often unfamiliar with the current technology and the resources available to enhance the learning experience. Curriculum 21 discusses many of these challenges and provides ideas and/or solutions for change. The Socially Networked Classroom takes the ideas and theories from Curriculum 21 and puts them into action, providing examples of technology enhanced learning even when media resources are minimal.
Learning can occur in all situations, whether it is a game, activity, discussion, creative project, or use of social networking. Old content combined with the new media age brings the curriculum to life in a way that it is relevant to the 21st century learner. Online portfolios can be used to showcase a students work which can be made available for classroom viewer as well as world wide views. Global discussions as well as classroom discussions can be initiated through the use of student portfolios.
Global discussions give students an insight into other cultures and languages, making students more culturally competent. Technology in the classroom is a vital element in teaching the 21st century learner.
Learning can occur in all situations, whether it is a game, activity, discussion, creative project, or use of social networking. Old content combined with the new media age brings the curriculum to life in a way that it is relevant to the 21st century learner. Online portfolios can be used to showcase a students work which can be made available for classroom viewer as well as world wide views. Global discussions as well as classroom discussions can be initiated through the use of student portfolios.
Global discussions give students an insight into other cultures and languages, making students more culturally competent. Technology in the classroom is a vital element in teaching the 21st century learner.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Essential Curriculum for a New Time
How might we determine the year that we are preparing our learners for? What years should we be preparing them for?
The nursing profession is surrounded by evidence-based practice, technological advances, and complex medical conditions. Nursing practice and the medical profession has changed drastically since Florence Nightingale's days in nursing. There has been numerous changes within the past 6 years that I have been a registered nurse. Despite all the changes that are occurring around us, nursing curriculum and the way it is taught remains about the same. Old curriculum provides a sense of comfort and stability for educators, if it has been effective for the past 100 years, why change things now? Change is inevitable, and the fear of change holds many of us back.
As educators we need to give our students the knowledge and tools needed for a lifetime of learning. We don't need to prepare our students for a specific year; by providing them with essential tools, students can adapt and change as society continues to evolve. Integrating old content with new content and technology brings education to the 21st century.
The nursing profession is surrounded by evidence-based practice, technological advances, and complex medical conditions. Nursing practice and the medical profession has changed drastically since Florence Nightingale's days in nursing. There has been numerous changes within the past 6 years that I have been a registered nurse. Despite all the changes that are occurring around us, nursing curriculum and the way it is taught remains about the same. Old curriculum provides a sense of comfort and stability for educators, if it has been effective for the past 100 years, why change things now? Change is inevitable, and the fear of change holds many of us back.
As educators we need to give our students the knowledge and tools needed for a lifetime of learning. We don't need to prepare our students for a specific year; by providing them with essential tools, students can adapt and change as society continues to evolve. Integrating old content with new content and technology brings education to the 21st century.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
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