Thanks to our classmate, Lisa Richardson, who told me of the existence of these cool videos on You Tube. This type of presentation will be extremely useful to the nursing students, and I think the videos make the point much more effectively than I could in a straight lecture format. In a humorous way the video, which spoofs Justin Timberlake's song Bringing Sexy Back, perfectly explains the 2nd degree AV Mobitz 1 heart block which is also known as Wenckebach. The treatment and actions are accurately described when the singers state "get more recordings, check lead 2...I need Atropine or else I'm done." The beginning of the video shows the actual heart tracing for Wenchkebach in which the PR interval elongates with each heartbeat until the QRS complex is dropped after three occurrences (described by the singers as "in threes") This is a fun and very effective way for nascent students to learn about this complex rhythm, and demonstrates the usefulness of different technologies in education. Take a look.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Assignments 1 and 2
When I read the syllabus and assignments and considered creating a blog, web pages, and a Webquest, I thought it would be like herding cats. I was intimidated and experienced a few restless nights contemplating the tasks ahead. Turns out it has been less difficult than cat herding, and actually, quite enjoyable. I am choosing to be excited about all I am going to learn this summer, rather than focus on what I do not know.
The blogfolio will include the musings of a beginner, reflections about the assignments, what I learned, and possible ways to apply the new skills to nursing education. With each assignment I will attempt to apply the content to nursing education and my role with the nursing students.
Assignment 1: The trick to this assignment was to use varying search terms such as distance learning; telecommunications in education; and instructional technology. I used Google, as I use Google for most all searches. I also frequently referred to Dr. Yuen's homepage to be certain I was not duplicating a previously posted resource. It did take a bit of time to sift through the results and evaluate the sites, because many of the websites were for web based programs and online degrees rather than information about the technology. Sites that were hosted by university personnel were the most comprehensive and informative.
The second aspect of the assignment was a bit unnerving for me. As an emergency department nurse I often dealt with people when they were at their worst, and I have also cared for inmates, violent offenders, and the mentally disturbed. Consequently, I always had an unlisted phone number. Past web searches have revealed no personal information. While searching for this assignment, I discovered over 25 years of previous addresses including my current home address. This left me with an uncomfortable feeling. Incidentally, I believe the Department of Motor Vehicles may have been the source for some of the information, and that makes me even more uncomfortable.
I recently learned about Inspiration 8.0, software that allows concept mapping. The concept mapping process is widely used in nursing education, but is a difficult concept for nascent nursing students to master. During the software search for this assignment, I found a free trail download of Inspiration through CNET. Even better, though, is I found freeware that is similar to Inspiration also through CNET. I will be evaluating both programs this summer, and use one in the fall.
Assignment 2: The Blogging assignment was one that I feared would be like herding cats. However, Blogspot is intuititive and easy to manage. I have never wanted to blog and avoid My Space, Face Book, and other networking sites. However, I believe a blog could be very effective for my clinical nursing students and could be a tool for providing supplemental instruction and resources. I could introduce a weekly case study and have the students contribute to it. I could also provide links to the digital media available through our school and have students review anatomy, the disease process, etc. I believe the blog could be a modern, non-threatening way to reinforce the material I present during the week. In fact I am going to introduce blogging to my incoming fall students.
The blogfolio will include the musings of a beginner, reflections about the assignments, what I learned, and possible ways to apply the new skills to nursing education. With each assignment I will attempt to apply the content to nursing education and my role with the nursing students.
Assignment 1: The trick to this assignment was to use varying search terms such as distance learning; telecommunications in education; and instructional technology. I used Google, as I use Google for most all searches. I also frequently referred to Dr. Yuen's homepage to be certain I was not duplicating a previously posted resource. It did take a bit of time to sift through the results and evaluate the sites, because many of the websites were for web based programs and online degrees rather than information about the technology. Sites that were hosted by university personnel were the most comprehensive and informative.
The second aspect of the assignment was a bit unnerving for me. As an emergency department nurse I often dealt with people when they were at their worst, and I have also cared for inmates, violent offenders, and the mentally disturbed. Consequently, I always had an unlisted phone number. Past web searches have revealed no personal information. While searching for this assignment, I discovered over 25 years of previous addresses including my current home address. This left me with an uncomfortable feeling. Incidentally, I believe the Department of Motor Vehicles may have been the source for some of the information, and that makes me even more uncomfortable.
I recently learned about Inspiration 8.0, software that allows concept mapping. The concept mapping process is widely used in nursing education, but is a difficult concept for nascent nursing students to master. During the software search for this assignment, I found a free trail download of Inspiration through CNET. Even better, though, is I found freeware that is similar to Inspiration also through CNET. I will be evaluating both programs this summer, and use one in the fall.
Assignment 2: The Blogging assignment was one that I feared would be like herding cats. However, Blogspot is intuititive and easy to manage. I have never wanted to blog and avoid My Space, Face Book, and other networking sites. However, I believe a blog could be very effective for my clinical nursing students and could be a tool for providing supplemental instruction and resources. I could introduce a weekly case study and have the students contribute to it. I could also provide links to the digital media available through our school and have students review anatomy, the disease process, etc. I believe the blog could be a modern, non-threatening way to reinforce the material I present during the week. In fact I am going to introduce blogging to my incoming fall students.
Introduction
As I mentioned in the side bar, I am a Registered Nurse with 23 years of practice. I have served in various roles ranging from being a staff nurse in Intensive Care and in the Emergency Department. My most recent hospital position was as the Nursing Supervisor. I worked during Hurricane Katrina and was in a New Orleans area hospital for days after the storm. For some time I had wanted to teach nursing, and Katrina was my mid-life epiphany. I now teach full-time in an Associate Degree program at Charity School of Nursing/Delgado Community College and part-time at Loyola University New Orleans. I love teaching!
I am especially interested in the use of technology in the delivery of nursing content. At our nursing campus we have a human patient simulator that is Mac/OS based. He is so life-like we can make him perspire! Carefully planned learning experiences with the simulator man are, I think, almost as effective as real patient contact. Our students are technologically savvy, and I feel a need to keep up with them!
From a personal perspective, I believe my readers can see my love for cats and dogs. I am involved with animal rescue in Louisiana, and also foster cats to prepare them for adoption. (The cats in the pictures are permanent residents in my home.) To demonstrate that hope springs eternal, I have been a season ticket holder for the New Orleans Saints for many years. This year I fell in love with the New Orleans Hornets, and have season tickets for the Hornets as well. Odds are, if my studies are complete, you'll see me at a ball game in New Orleans!
I am especially interested in the use of technology in the delivery of nursing content. At our nursing campus we have a human patient simulator that is Mac/OS based. He is so life-like we can make him perspire! Carefully planned learning experiences with the simulator man are, I think, almost as effective as real patient contact. Our students are technologically savvy, and I feel a need to keep up with them!
From a personal perspective, I believe my readers can see my love for cats and dogs. I am involved with animal rescue in Louisiana, and also foster cats to prepare them for adoption. (The cats in the pictures are permanent residents in my home.) To demonstrate that hope springs eternal, I have been a season ticket holder for the New Orleans Saints for many years. This year I fell in love with the New Orleans Hornets, and have season tickets for the Hornets as well. Odds are, if my studies are complete, you'll see me at a ball game in New Orleans!
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