“where there’s a will, there’s a way:” developing e-learning from the perspective of two...

“Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way:” Developing E-

learning From the Perspective of Two Generalists

Audrey Kuntz, EdD, RNVanderbilt University Medical Center

Jim Bills, EdDVanderbilt University School of Medicine

Overview

I. Why We Did It

II. Planning/Execution

III. Obstacles

IV. Resulting Product

- Both good and not-so-good

V. Lessons Learned

I. Why We Did It(Our Task)

- Create an e-learning seminar for grant trainees - Develop content based upon grant objectives- Tailor it to a wide range of roles/capabilities- Disseminate it via the most effective method

II. Planning/Execution

Committee developed individual lesson objectives for each of four modules

Observed almost 100 real-world PACU handoffs, resulting in 10 scripted scenarios

Selected a developer friendly software application and SCORM compliant.

Utilized one of two university-subscribed

LMSs to deliver content.

III. Obstacles

Learners’ wide range of experience and education levels (one size had to fit all)

Wide variety of workstations, many with unique software, browsers, and capabilities

Learners had limited free time to view the required lesson prior to training sessions

Host LMS minimally familiar with chosen software and functionality

Volume of LMS and house-wide usage affected stability

LMS severed switch of lesson location

IV. Results

A four-module multimedia e-learning course which provided: The greatest flexibility for learners’ time via use

of bookmarking feature Utilization of “forcing” function to ensure

completion of all module components before moving to next module

Tracking of time and completion of individual learners as well as generation of global reports

V. Lessons Learned-Positive Features-

Relevance to PACU communication issues

V. Lessons Learned -Positive Features-

Flexibility in being able to review/complete the modules as time permitted

V. Lessons Learned -Positive Features-

- The value of teaching roles / responsibilities

V. Lessons Learned -Positive Features-

- Realism of videotaped vignettes

V. Lessons Learned - Not so positive-

Firewalls on workstations impeded viewing Total length of four modules (45 minutes) Lag between problems being identified,

troubleshooting and resolution

V. Lessons Learned - Not so positive-

Firewalls on workstations impede viewing Total length of four modules (45 minutes) Lag between problems being identified,

troubleshooting and resolution Organization’s clinical and administration

workstation fleet in different life stages – No central overseer of functionality

Summary

Keep lessons short Choose an authoring platform that is easy to use

and complex enough to provide interaction with the learner

Evaluate relative merits of software/LMS interfaces Be prepared to learn as you go regarding limitations

in computer workstations “Test, test, test”

Be prepared to learn!

Acknowledgments

To the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for its generous funding of STRAIT

To Matt Weinger, MD, Principle Investigator of “Simulation Training for Rapid Assessment and Improved Teamwork (STRAIT)” Grant

To Buz Harrison, videographer and editor extraordinaire

Please contact:

audrey.kuntz@vanderbilt.edu

or

jim.bills@vanderbilt.edu

Questions?