2010 NAO ConferenceDeveloping Web-Based Continuing Education: Upstate AHEC’s JourneyBennie M. Pettit, MSContinuing Education ConsultantUpstate AHEC

Thanks to

Susan Kyzer, MSN, RNAHEC U Administrator

Objectives

• Describe the development process of web-based health care continuing education from idea to implementation.

• Define terms used in the world of online learning.

• Discuss benefits of web-based continuing education and lessons learned.

SOUTH CAROLINA REGIONAL COVERAGE

Upstate AHEC DemographicsUpstate AHEC serves 11 of the 46 counties in South Carolina. It’s border states are Georgia

and North Carolina.

• 11 Counties – 6434 square miles– 5 urban– 6 rural

Source: U.S. Census Bureau: State and County Quick Facts

Why Online Continuing Education?

• Our customers requested online CE

• Budget cuts, decreased travel, decreased time

• Staff unable to leave clinical area to attend live CE classes

• A generation of ‘techie’ professionals who prefer using technology

Benefits to Online Continuing Education

• Flexibility of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week availability of CE

• Improved access for geographically dispersed learners

• Consistent delivery of content• Realistic problem solving using case

studies• Ability to complete the evaluation

online• Ability to print certificates online or

have the certificate e-mailed

Needs As We Moved Forward with Online CE

• Support of Center Director• Vision to look ahead and meet

customer needs• AHEC U administrator• Budget to develop• Full service production company• Centralized location to host

courses/streaming videos• 24 hour access for customers• Speakers/content experts willing to

step out of the box and present in a non- traditional way

Terms Used in the World of Online Learning• Learning management system or

classroom management system• Moodle™• Streaming Video• Host• Server Space• Bandwidth• Firewalls• Back up• Copyright

Learning Management System

• What is Moodle™?– Moodle™ is a Course Management

System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

– A free web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites.

• www.moodle.org

AHEC U Course Checklist

• The checklist was developed to keep us on track as we developed the course.

• The course checklist included - Task to be completed- Responsible party- Date the task was completed

Tasks to be Completed

• Identify CE Need • Identify Target Audience• Identify Speaker• Send Speaker Video Tip Sheet• Send speaker consultant agreement• Schedule Studio Time Date:______

Time:______• Receive power point Presentation

from speaker

Tasks Continued

• Work with speaker to develop pre and/or post tests

• Work with speaker to develop case Studies• Obtain photo consent for photos• Purchase copyrights for drawings used• Complete Paperwork for CE credit• Send power point to Studio• Receive handouts from speaker• Place handouts on AHEC U website• Create Front Page information• Create program evaluation

Tasks Continued

• Videotape presentation• Review videos to analyze the edits

needed• Send video link to speaker• Communicate any changes to studio• Get final approval• Go live with course

Helpful Hints for Speakers (handouts)

• Helpful Hints for Online CE Speakers

• Video Prep Tips

Two handouts were created to provide speakers with more information as they prepare to be videotaped.

Challenges or Lessons Learned from Upstate AHEC’c Journey

• Know the limitations to your skill set• Add more time - it takes longer than you

think• Add more money - it is not a cheap thing• The ‘devil’ is in the details-massive

coordination effort• Personnel changes with partner

companies affect the project• Need two people to manage the project

1. Course Developer skills2. Information Technology skills

The Course Developer

• Works with speakers to– Provide helpful hints for online

speakers– Format the class into segments or

modules of no more than 30 minutes in length

– Make course interactive using case studies, games, quizzes

• Addresses copyright issues• Addresses accrediting agencies and

CEUs• Insures the quality• Works closely with the Information

Technologist

The Information Technologist

• Familiar with Moodle ™(Classroom Management System)

• Sets up inner workings and maintains the course management system on a regular basis

• Backs up the site• Addresses firewalls and customer IT

departments’ concerns• Works out the ‘bugs’

Example of Front Page of a Course

For Additional Information Please Contact:

Bennie M. PettitEducation ConsultantUpstate AHEC

200 North Main Street, Suite 201Greenville, South Carolina 29601

Phone: 864-349-1162E-mail: bpettit@upstateahec.orgwww.upstateahec.org