SESSION CANCELED - Digital Transformation of curriculum

Concurrent Session 2

Brief Abstract

SESSION CANCELED - Our iCoN Apple Distinguished School initiative has expanded far beyond what we could have imagined when it began in 2012. Students now engage in active learning strategies using Apple devices and apps to create capstone projects and receive real-time feedback on assignments and tests. Faculty members continue to find innovative ways to flip the classroom and more fully engage students. The college’s support and commitment to transforming the delivery of nursing education in the classroom, simulation laboratory and clinical settings, in addition to our sustainable model for fostering technology and innovation, 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Matthew Rota, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

Dr. Matt Rota is the Assistant Dean for Technology for the College of Nursing. In his role, the College of Nursing's instructional design department and college IT department, known as CATER, report to him. This office unifies instructional design and information technology. In this role, he provides leadership oversight, to ensure the departments align with the college; Through the creative leveraging of technology, we will transform health care. His department also provides a community of practice, supported by ongoing professional development and faculty partnership, as well as innovative pedagogical approaches; online and face-to-face. Before joining UC College of Nursing, he spent 10 years in the corporate arena as an instructional designer, most recently for Trivantis, designing eLearning courses for Cincinnati Public Schools, Microsoft, P&G, Best Western, Novartis, and other fortune 500 companies. Previously, he was the Vice President of Altoria Solutions in Cincinnati, Ohio. At Altoria he oversaw the design, development, and deployment of the eLearning-managed CMS, called Paralearning. From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Rota served as a board member of the United Way of Cincinnati, and from 2005-2008 served as chair of the National Task Force for the United Way of America’s Young Leader Initiative. In 2005, he received the Cincinnati Business Journal, Forty Under Forty award, recognizing him as one of Cincinnati's top business leaders. His PhD is in Instructional Design for Online Learning, specializing in Virtual Clinical Experiences and Augmented Reality in nursing education, and he also holds a MEd in C&I, focusing on Instructional Design and Adult Learning Strategies, a BS in Education, and BA in Medieval History, from the University of Cincinnati.

Extended Abstract

When the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of in-person instruction in March 2020, the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing relied on its established technology infrastructure and expertise leveraging technology in instruction to rapidly transition to an online-only learning format that included virtual courses, testing, clinical experiences and meetings. As early adopters of technology in teaching and learning, the college’s robust technology ecosystem and skilled faculty, who are comfortable embedding technology in pedagogy, enabled the quick and seamless switch.

In a short time, 15 clinical courses with 700 students were converted to virtual clinical experiences, 1,000+ computer-based exams were proctored and academic advisers found new ways to effectively communicate with students and offer support. The delivery of live, or synchronous, classes benefitted students by offering a chance to ask questions of faculty before and after each session.

The college also leveraged technology to remotely teach certain hands- on fundamental nursing skills by creating, printing and distributing 3-D models of nasal passages, perinea and wounds. Students first learn to analyze several patient scenarios and the thought processes behind skills in a virtual setting. Then, they use the 3-D models to learn and practice skills such as inserting a nasogastric tube or indwelling urinary catheter. This innovative solution for virtual, hands-on learning is protected by a provisional patent and will be commercialized outside of UC.