Project Based Learning for Exhibits on Health and Wellness

Occupational Therapy Graduate Students in Second Life

ISTE 2010 SIG-VE Playground Presentation

Zsuzsa Tomsen (RL: Susan Toth-Cohen, PhD, OTR/L)Bodi MacIntyre, OTS (RL: Alyssa Sariano)

Jefferson School of Health ProfessionsThomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Project Based Learning Emphasizes: • teams of three or more students working on an

in-depth project 3-8 weeks;• a complex entry question to establish the need to

know about the project• Introduce activities and new information that

helps students delve more deeply into the project• Frequent feedback about multiple aspects of the

project (content, communication, teamwork, etc) From: Pearlman, 2006, http://www.edutopia.org/new-skills-new-century

Occupational Therapy Project Structure

Paid Graduate Assistants

Infrastructure Support

Department pays for land lease of Main OT Center in Eduisland 2

Intramural research grant for Healthy Aging project (Fatima’s Cherished)

Recruitment of Graduate students for final MS projects

Faculty Researchdrives project

Work with researcher to develop initial concept

Brainstorm with team to refine project (or subproject)

Review byContent refine Expert

Revise based on feedback

ConductResearch

Get feedback from Research Participants

Revise, develop new ideas

Project Team Members: What do they do? What do they learn?

MS Students Completing Final Projects

• Develop ideas for educating consumers on health and wellness

• Research information to be used in educational exhibit

• Participate in a team process• Develop surveys for

research participants• Conduct or participate in

interview with research participants

• Utilize peer and expert review process

• Learn to use consumer-friendly language

Graduate Student Assistants

• Develop ideas for educating consumers on health and wellness

• Research information to be used in educational exhibits

• Participate in a team process

• Utilize peer review process

• Learn to use consumer-friendly language

• Integrate “learning in school” with application to another setting.