IT Issues and Support StructuresSimulation Education and Complex

Technology Based Practice

Presentation Outline

• Background• Initial Challenges Faced• Solutions Implemented• Purpose of simulation• The role of technology• Practical Design

Considerations• The role of IT support• Finding the right support

Background

• Typical computer geek• Not-so typical interpersonal

skills• 20 years in technical

education• Accepted the technical

director position in 2010 at California Baptist University School of Nursing

Initial Challenges Faced

• Initial design of simulation space continue to have some challenging consequences in implementing simulations

• Simulation museum– System Complexity– Lack of training– Apprehension of faculty

• Lack of IT support – Understaffed– Lack of understanding of

needs– Ineffective support system

Solutions Implemented

• To remove pressure of IT and to ensure adequate support all technical calls came through my office first.– Provided 1st , 2nd, and

many time 3rd level technical support

– Conducted one on one personal training when called

– Remote desktop training and issue resolution

– Made a TA in all course– Conducted In-services

Solutions Implemented cont.• To increase use of simulation

– Conducted personal interviews with nurse faculty (content experts)

– Purpose was to ascertain needs and explain how the technology could be used to fulfill those needs.

– In-services to show off what could be done with technology

– Made them comfortable working with me as the technical expert and them the content experts

Solutions Implemented cont.• Initial design challenges

– Proprietary software and hardware solutions

– PTZ cameras • Poor locations and too many

covering same locations– AVS is implemented by

multiple vendors without any unifying technical specifications

– Lack of space– Lack of power outlets– Requires technical

expertise to meet desired results

Solutions Implemented cont.• To mitigate initial design

challenges– Manage expectations– Involved in all simulations– Constant training support

staff (student workers, and lab assistant)

– “Sneakernet”– Establish close relationship

with IT department to make them understand the needs of the simulation center

– Staff Wireless– Full administrative control

Purpose of Simulation

• Facilitate feedback• Repetitive Practice• Capture variety of clinical

conditions• Controlled environment

without adverse consequences for error

• Application of task difficulty levels

• Implementation of multiple learning strategies

• Reproducible and standardized educational experiences

• Facilitate team work and interdisciplinary approaches

The role of technology

• Technology should support and facilitate all the previously mentioned goals

• Improve processes• Improve and enhance what

is already done without it.• Make our lives easier not

more difficult

The role of technology

• Technology should not be so complex as to make it impossible to use

• It should never be a replacement for good pedagogy

The role of technology

• Technology should not be so complex as to make it impossible to use

• It should never be a replacement for good pedagogy

Practical Design Considerations

• Have a solid understanding of what the desired results are– “I want to capture what is

on the monitor and three cameras for debriefing five minutes after simulation is ended”

– Called the information gathering and identification

• What are the priorities, what do the educators envision in the end, how will it work within their teaching strategies

Practical Design Considerations

• What is being taught and how do they do it without the technology?

• What is being captured and how do they capture it without technology?

Practical Design Considerations

• Network connections (Location and number)

• Staff Wireless– Laerdal, Gaumard, Meti

single station control• Power Outlets, Charging

stations• Wall Speakers (VOG, Patient

voice) • Headphone jacks for

observations• Cameras (Location, location,

location)

The Role of IT Support

• Typical Structure (Centralized)

• Dir. Of IT• Application Development,

Platform Support, User Support, Network Infrastructure, Security, Help Desk

The Role of IT Support

• Resolving User Problems– Problem Tracking Software– Level 1: Problem Resolved

at help desk (Very basic technical skills)

– Level 2: Problems resolved by higher skilled technician

– Level 3: problem resolved by most skilled technicians, manufacture, vendor

The Role of IT Support

• Advantages– Centralized control– Able to cover a wide

variety of common issues– Issues recorded and

solutions database maintained

• Disadvantages– Little understanding of

unique processes– Typically do not have

expertise and understanding of how simulation equipment operates

The Role of IT Support (Alternative)• Skilled IT support housed in

department• Direct communication with

faculty• Intimate interaction and

understanding of simulation equipment

• Direct support of simulation events

Finding the right IT Support

• For the typical centralized IT support model– Understand what your

needs are and work with them until IT fully understands them as well.

– Invite IT support to simulations so they have a direct understanding of what it required to operate successfully.

Finding the right IT Support

• For the in-house solution look for the following– Technical skills and

expertise in computer systems, network infrastructure, and audio video support and design

– Interpersonal skills– Should be able to teach

and train complicated technical issues in an easy to understand way

Finding the right IT Support

• Hire your IT person as your would an educator

• Have them conduct a mock class on IP addressing, creating an AD Hoc network, or ever what a router is.

• Have them write a step-by-step instructions on how to adjust your desktop screen resolution