Using handheld Using handheld computers to enhance computers to enhance

the clinical learningthe clinical learningexperienceexperience

Keren WilliamsonKeren WilliamsonLynn MundyLynn Mundy

Dept. of RadiographyDept. of Radiography

SOHCSSOHCS

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Mansell GriffithsMansell Griffiths Lecturer Lecturer Lisa JonesLisa Jones Clinical Lecturer Clinical Lecturer Hywel RogersHywel Rogers Lecturer Lecturer

• Department of RadiographyDepartment of Radiography• SOHCS SOHCS

• 2007 & 2008 intake Radiotherapy & Oncology 2007 & 2008 intake Radiotherapy & Oncology studentsstudents

Aim• CU L&T strategy

8 key strategic aims

Funding• HEAT3 JISC TechDis

9 x handheld computers9 x handheld computers HP iPAQ & keyboardsHP iPAQ & keyboards

• Society & College of Radiographers Industry partnership scheme

Evaluation Issues and outcomes

Project overviewProject overview

ProjectProject

AimAim• To explore the use of handheld

computers (PDAs) to deliver learning resources and assessment /evaluation tools in the clinical learning environment in order to enhance student therapeutic radiographers’ learning experience..

ProjectProject

2 arms:

To integrate academic theory and clinical practice

•Accessible resources•Inclusion •Partnership with students•‘Learning packages’

Efficient collation of clinical objectives

•Profession specific clinical learning•Practice placement education

2 arms:

To integrate academic theory and clinical practice

•Accessible resources•Inclusion •Partnership with students•‘Learning packages’

Efficient collation of clinical objectives

•Profession specific clinical learning•Practice placement education

Learning stylesLearning styles

VARKVARK©©

8 students8 students• 1 clinical cohort1 clinical cohort

Analysis showed the group as Visual Analysis showed the group as Visual and/or Aural learnersand/or Aural learners• No student had a preferred style of Read / No student had a preferred style of Read /

WriteWrite

© Copyright Version 7.0 (2006) held by Neil D. Fleming, Christchurch, New Zealand and Charles C. Bonwell, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado 80819 U.S.A. 

V

K

R

A

Learning PackagesLearning Packages

Packages were developed using moving Packages were developed using moving images with voice over informationimages with voice over information

Microsoft PhotoStory Microsoft PhotoStory ©©

• Emergency trolleyEmergency trolley• Radiotherapy Radiotherapy

EquipmentEquipment TechniqueTechnique Science Science

• Sectional anatomySectional anatomy

Learning packagesLearning packages

Did not match VARKDid not match VARK©© analysis analysis• Perhaps students are ‘programmed’ to work with what is Perhaps students are ‘programmed’ to work with what is

familiar rather than with what best fits their learning style?familiar rather than with what best fits their learning style?

Useful prep for clinical

assessments

It is good to be able to access

information whenever and wherever it is

needed

EvaluationEvaluation

Didn’t like hearing

lecturers’ voices!

Prefer PowerPoint – more control over slides

More text please

Text would be betterWorried I

might lose it

Can’t hear audio in

clinical dept

Would like to make our own packages

Practice Placement Practice Placement EducationEducation

Real World IssuesReal World Issues

Cost of development.Cost of development. Connection issues with different Connection issues with different

computers.computers. Confidence with IT.Confidence with IT. Added responsibility. Added responsibility. Size of text.Size of text. Change!Change!

Next steps...Next steps...Academic resourcesAcademic resources More learning packagesMore learning packages

• Available in different formatsAvailable in different formats No ‘one fit’ for all - can choose between text or audioNo ‘one fit’ for all - can choose between text or audio

• Encourage students to produce their own Encourage students to produce their own packagespackages

Practice placement educationPractice placement education Explore idea that students use their own Explore idea that students use their own

mobile devicesmobile devices• ‘‘receiver not receptacle’ receiver not receptacle’

Data not lostData not lost Overcome connectivity issuesOvercome connectivity issues