Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
The Connected Classroom
April 7-9, 2002
Use of Web-based Multimedia Applications for Teaching Nursing Health Assessment
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By: Patricia O'Leary |
Abstract
Health Assessment is a required course in our nursing program and a foundation for clinical courses. Offering this course as a web-based course is a challenge because of the number of psychomotor skills that must be learned. This presentation will show the development of simulations using a variety of multimedia applications. Examples include web authoring using FrontPage 2000, incorporating javascript i.e. pop-up windows, image maps, use of digital camera, use of digital video camera, Adope PhotoShop, Microsoft PhotoDraw, sound editing using Sound Forge XP and Real Player, and animation using Macromedia Flash 5.
Description
Health Assessment is a required nursing course taught in the first semester of our nursing curriculum. It is a course where students learn how to conduct a history and physical examination. This course is a foundation for all clinical courses. Assessment is essential and required of registered nurses in their practice. Health Assessment requires the learning of psychomotor skills in order to properly perform a physical examination on a patient.
This presentation will show how a faculty member with average computer skills learned and developed simulations using a variety of multimedia applications. FrontPage was used as the web-authoring tool in developing a web site to place the simulations for the students to access during the course. The digital camera was used to take pictures of manikins to use with some of the simulations. Photo editing was necessary and Adobe PhotoShop and Microsoft PhotoDraw were used. The digital video camera was used to take videos of some of the psychomotor skills used in the course such as how to assess the patient's heart and lungs. The videos were edited into short video clips. Sounds (i.e. heart sounds, lung sounds) were edited using Sound Forge XP and Real [Media] Player. Image maps were developed incorporating the edited sounds and manikin pictures.
By incorporating java script, the presenter developed pop-up windows so students would be able to review anatomy and physiology as well as learn new material. An example is the review of anatomy and physiology of the heart such as information on the heart valves, layers of the heart, chambers of the heart.
Macromedia Flash 5 was used to incorporate animation into the course. The drag and drop feature of Flash 5 was used to develop study materials for the students to review material such as anatomy and physiology. The drag and drop feature was also used to develop study materials to help the students learn new course material. Movies were developed to help students review physiology such as showing the movement of blood through the heart. Another type of movie was developed to show the student the correct sequence of moving the stethoscope on the chest when listening to the heart and lungs.
An intent of this presentation will be to show how various multimedia can be incorporated to effectively enhance student learning in a course that traditionally uses hands on practice and live demonstration.