Instructional Technology

Demonstrate effective integration of current and emerging technology into health professions education to foster active learning and employ innovative teaching strategies for today’s learners in both a classroom and distance education setting.

Artifact Reflection:

Article Critique 2/HPTT 830 Research Analysis & Design for Health Professions Education

The second of three article critique assignments in the Research Analysis & Design course asked me to build on the evaluation skills I began developing in my first critique and engage in a deeper analysis of research methodology and findings. For this assignment, I reviewed an article that examined the role of simulation-based education in ultrasound training. The study specifically explored interdisciplinary ultrasound simulation used in both interventional and diagnostic practice settings. I selected this artifact because simulation is becoming an increasingly important component of ultrasound education, particularly with the use of high-fidelity mannequins that can recreate realistic clinical scenarios for learners.

While analyzing the study, I found that the results were somewhat inconclusive. In my opinion, this may have been due to the broad scope of the research. The study combined simulation experiences from both interventional and diagnostic ultrasound training, which may have made it difficult to clearly measure the impact of simulation within a single discipline. If the research had focused solely on diagnostic ultrasound training, I believe the results might have demonstrated a stronger case for simulation as an effective teaching method for improving sonographer performance and ultimately patient outcomes.

This topic is especially relevant to my current role at the University of Iowa. From time to time, representatives from medical companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb visit and demonstrate simulation-based ultrasound training using advanced mannequins. These demonstrations present a valuable opportunity to explore how simulation can support student learning. By assessing students’ knowledge before and after participating in these simulation experiences, I could potentially evaluate how effective this training is in improving their understanding and clinical confidence. Experiences like this reinforce the growing role that simulation may play in preparing students for real-world clinical practice.

Artifact Reflection:

Final Project e-Module/HPTT 825 Essentials of E-Module Development

The e-Module Development assignment involved designing and building an interactive e-learning module intended for integration into an educational curriculum. The module was required to meet high evaluation standards using the Nebraska E-Learning Scorecard (NEscore), which assesses both the instructional design and educational methodology of online learning materials. These standards evaluate important elements such as organization of content, learner engagement, usability, assessment strategies, and the overall effectiveness of instructional technology. Because this project required the thoughtful integration of digital tools and interactive learning components, it clearly aligns with the instructional technology objective.

Of all the projects I completed while earning my degree, this one was easily my favorite. It gave me the opportunity to experiment with Articulate 360, a design platform I had not previously used. I found the software surprisingly intuitive, which made building interactive activities and assessments both engaging and enjoyable. One of the biggest advantages of this technology is its ability to present information visually and interactively. In ultrasound education, many concepts are difficult to communicate through written explanations alone. Using Articulate allowed me to illustrate these concepts more clearly and create learning experiences that went beyond traditional lecture slides.

Currently, the university where I work does not have access to this software, but this experience showed me how powerful these tools can be for teaching complex material. In the future, I hope to advocate for the adoption of similar technologies to create more engaging learning experiences for students. This type of instructional design is especially valuable in ultrasound education, where visual demonstrations and interactive practice can significantly improve understanding of hands-on clinical skills.

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