Baby Steps: Introducing Instructional Technology

Nurse Educators are similar to faculty in that their time is limited and they may prefer to do things a certain way. Many, however, are interested in learning new things, and, with the facilitation of the

instructional technologist are able to adopt new tools and resources, including MERLOT. The presenter will describe the journey of introducing the technology to the department, and becoming a

"technology mentor" to several willing volunteers.

Irene Knokh

Getting Started

ChallengesWhat was the starting point?What are the challenges?Why is it important to address them?Audience

○ Students○ Nurses○ Nurse Educators

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First Steps Goals

What did we want to accomplish?○ Support for the changes○ How they were implemented○ What had to be considered along the

way What did I learn? What’s next?

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Multiple paper handouts Not user friendlyHigh costNot interactive

Unnecessary email exchange on the same subjects Paper weekly submissions, surveys, and

evaluations

Results compilation was cumbersome

No 24/7 access

○ Resistance to more changesLack of resourcesSoftware installation restrictions Finding the time

○ How are these addressed?Getting what you canFlexibility MentorshipStarting small-baby step by baby stepEncouraging along the way

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Creative approachInformal and formal staff education

○ Workshops○ Demos○ Individual training and assessment

Networking and sharing resourcesThinking ahead, “time spent now is time saved

later”Debriefings Follow up to stay on track and to assist when

necessary

Streamline the processes –thinking creatively Revise documents for online access, sorting,

and automatic compilation Eliminate unnecessary printed documents 24/7 access mandatory Audit and frequently update the sites Provide demo on online submissions Design individual training plans for educators Flexibility in covering material in the plan

“Survival Skills-What I learned”

Baby Steps: MantraTeach and mentor

○ Client may wish to do the project but wants coaching

I will work with you○ Client may want to collaborate on a project (do

everything together)

I will do the project for youClient wants updates but doesn’t want to deal with

the “hands on part”Combination: teach, collaborate, report on

progress, assess, complete

Demo-Nursing Orientation Website demo Program frequently changes 24/7 Access What’s next-growing and walking forward

Evaluations online“Casting a wider net” for everyone to be aware

of the siteMaking presentations more interactiveIntroducing MERLOT LO’s (selected) into the

programIntroducing games into the program

Demo-Nursing Orientation

To do pieces for working on a site for student nurses

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Extern Website Use: 2008

Extern Website 2009

Daily Updates

through the program’s duration

Continuing site maintenance and development Interactivity: adding games, podcasting, lecture

recording, various site tours, puzzles, and video clips for 24.7 access

Looking at MERLOT for learning objects we can use in our classroom

Using web 2.0 tools creatively to work with student externs

Looking at Nursing Second Life options The proof is in the cake (try and see if it works for

you)

Constantly moving forward

Balancing, mentoring, making things happen-step by step

Thank you for coming!

Questions?

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