Innovation in Teaching

Design effective learning environments using a variety of interactive educational and multimedia strategies which engage the learner in interdisciplinary and collaborative activities.

Artifact Reflection:

Mini Project and Video Creation/HPTT 803 Integrating Technology into Health Professions

This project reflects the 12 mini-teaching projects and the three video projects assigned throughout the semester. The purpose of the 12 projects was to develop teaching and learning content related to my field. Various technology tools were used to create these projects while also accommodating different classroom settings (traditional, online, and hybrid). This assignment relates to the objective of innovation in teaching by giving me the opportunity to design effective learning environments using a variety of interactive educational and multimedia strategies that engage learners. This artifact was selected for the many technologies it employs to foster classroom innovation.

I learned how to develop teaching content that is deliverable to students with different learning styles. Content was gamified, augmented, and modified to help learners comprehend information at higher levels. I found creating gamified content the most enjoyable, and it was just as enjoyable for students to learn. The largest challenge encountered with this project was creating the videos, particularly the voice-overs. I had to make many corrections and cuts to get to the final product. This was very beneficial to me, as I have had to make instructional videos with voice-over in my current position, and I found more success with it because of this assignment.

Artifact Reflection:

Visualization Learning Technologies/HPTT 824 Simulated and Virtual Learning in Health Professions Education

The purpose of this assignment was to explore how cutting-edge visualization technologies can transform medical simulation, specifically applied to my educational context. I explored a futurist reflection about the possibility of a learner or educator using advanced simulation technology 5-10 years from now. This assignment relates to the objective of innovation in teaching by inviting reflection on how innovation propels us forward. This artifact was selected for its innovative discussion of advanced 3D imaging in echocardiography, reducing exam time to benefit both the patient and the sonographer.

This assignment allowed me to identify key issues in my field of expertise and to apply critical thinking to find innovative solutions to problems. This is demonstrated by offering a solution that completely changes the current flow for performing echocardiograms, reducing the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries and patient discomfort. The challenges encountered with this are the constraints of ultrasound physics regarding the speed of sound in soft tissue and tissue density. However, medical technology, especially in ultrasound, has advanced rapidly, and it will be worth tracking how 3D imaging continues to improve in ultrasound equipment.