Hybrid Education: It's really NOT about technology, it's about teaching & learning

As I review my previous blogs, I've realized that many of them focus on the technology we're using in our Hybrid DPT Program at NSU.  I want to emphasize that hybrid learning is really NOT about the technology, it's about teaching in a way that connects students to the information so that they can apply it in physical therapist practice.  The technology (voice thread, xtranormal, blogs, powerpoints) are just a means to an end---and the end is student learning.

To really get a grip on this, let's explore traditional professional classrooms. Students get a syllabus which has assigned readings prior to class. Many students don't do the assigned readings and some might not buy the book. After all, when they walk into the class, the instructor gives a powerpoint that details the information they'll need to understand the topic. Hopefully, at that point some students go back to the text/resources and actually read the original sources. Many don't have to because the faculty / instructor is SO good at consolidating the information and making it manageable.  In the live classroom, students can ask questions, although the majority don't unless the instructor really pushes!

• Question: Is it DURING the class that learning occurs?

• My Opinion: Nope, in fact, good listening occurs (hopefully), and even some deep thinking (even more hopefully)...but learning occurs when the student prepares for a test (ie, I have to remember ... and ...) or is asked to APPLY the information (case study, assignment, etc). During the preparation for a quiz or exam, the lecture-based student will a) highlight the powerpoint slide handouts, b) perhaps make some charts/cards to memorize the information and c) try to commit this from short term to long term memory.

What happens in hybrid education? Well, the student is given reading assignments and resources, and then asked to apply the information in either a case, paper, project, quiz....Often, the information in the text is supplemented with a Tegrity video/powerpoint slides (Dr. Shaw), you tube video (Dr. Riba), email from the faculty, or other videos (Blackinton).  This helps tell the student what the faculty thinks is important. The assignment of the week is designed to HELP students learn the material. When the student submits the assignment, he/she receives feedback which is designed to further help with the learning. So learning is an iterative process that occurs through interaction with information, faculty, etc.The role of the faculty moves from the "teller" of the information to the "stacker" of the information-using a combination of resources and feedback to stack the learning deck so to speak.

Question: So when does the student learn in Hybrid education? Is it from the reading? Tegrity session? chats?

My Opinion: Hopefully, students learn in multiple modes (seeing, hearing, doing, asking..).. Do all the students read all the text assignments? I DON"T KNOW! Is it more likely that they have read compared to just showing up for class? ABSOLUTELY! The UNCOMFORTABLE part for both faculty and students is that when you read and think on your own, you may do it differently than your instructor. The FANTASTIC part for both faculty and students is that they are learning to THINK and DO on their own.

Do I have questions? Yes! For example, I am not sure that all students are ready for learning in this manner, and I'm very uncertain how to screen for this individual during the admissions process. I do believe that ALL of us are capable of doing AMAZING things when we are asked to participate! I am SO PROUD of the NSU students because they are working hard, they are participating, and they are LEARNING!

That's what it's all about people, it's all about the learning! And how cool will it be that these HE-DPT Students are prepared with learning skills to last them a lifetime!

Got Ethics? An Invitation to my HE-DPT Students

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to interview a very well-respected expert in the area of physical therapy ethics, Dr. Laura Lee (Dolly) Swisher from University of South Florida. My interview with Dr. Swisher was videotaped (thanks to camera women extraordinaire, Dr. Keiba Shaw) and will be shared in our electronic classroom with the HE-DPT students in my class called Professional Issues in Physical Therapy. One of Dr. Swisher's many accomplishments is the development of an ethical decision making model entitled: Realm-Individual-Process-Situation (RIPS) Model. Although we usually associate the word "dilemma" with ethics, the "Situation" component of her model asks us to determine whether a particular situation is indeed a dilemma or some other ethical challenge. These 5 challenges are:

1. An issue/problem-ie, there are important values present or challenged.
2. A dilemma: 2 courses of action that seem to contradict each other, but both could be considered "right"
3. Distress: You know what should be done but aren't authorized to act.
4. Temptation: a choice between right and wrong (angel vs devil on your shoulders).
5. Silence: Your ethical values are challenged but no one is talking about the challenge.

HE-DPT Students: Fast forward--it is suddenly 3 1/2 years from now.  You are preparing to take the licensing examination, and are told by a reliable source about a website that can give you the "inside scoop" on exam questions.  How would you characterize this Situation using the 5 categories above? Also, after you review the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist - (this is a link to the code) and describe which of the principle(s) you believe is/are violated by a student that cheats on the licensing (or any) examination. Keep your responses short and to the point!

Got Ethics? I think so! Share your thoughts on this blog! If you have trouble posting on this website, email them to me in the Web CT classroom and I will post on the blog.