Using handheld computers to enhance the clinical learning experience Keren Williamson Lynn Mundy Dept. of Radiography Dept. of RadiographySOHCS

Acknowledgements Mansell Griffiths Lecturer Mansell Griffiths Lecturer Lisa Jones Clinical Lecturer Lisa Jones Clinical Lecturer Hywel Rogers Lecturer Hywel Rogers Lecturer Department of RadiographyDepartment of Radiography SOHCSSOHCS 2007 & 2008 intake Radiotherapy & Oncology students2007 & 2008 intake Radiotherapy & Oncology students

Aim CU L&T strategy 8 key strategic aims Funding HEAT3 JISC TechDis 9 x handheld computers 9 x handheld computers HP iPAQ & keyboards HP iPAQ & keyboards Society & College of Radiographers Industry partnership scheme Evaluation Issues and outcomes Project overview

Project Aim Aim.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.

Project 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 styles VARK © VARK © 8 students 8 students 1 clinical cohort1 clinical cohort Analysis showed the group as Visual and/or Aural learners Analysis showed the group as Visual and/or Aural learners No student had a preferred style of Read / WriteNo student had a preferred style of Read / Write © Copyright Version 7.0 (2006) held by Neil D. Fleming, Christchurch, New Zealand and Charles C. Bonwell, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado U.S.A. V K R A

Learning Packages Packages were developed using moving images with voice over information Packages were developed using moving images with voice over information Microsoft PhotoStory © Microsoft PhotoStory © Emergency trolleyEmergency trolley RadiotherapyRadiotherapy Equipment Equipment Technique Technique Science Science Sectional anatomySectional anatomy

Learning packages Learning packages Did not match VARK© analysis Did not match VARK© analysis Perhaps students are ‘programmed’ to work with what is familiar rather than with what best fits their learning style?Perhaps students are ‘programmed’ to work with what is 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 Evaluation Didn’t like hearing lecturers’ voices! Prefer PowerPoint – more control over slides More text please Text would be better Worried I might lose it Can’t hear audio in clinical dept Would like to make our own packages

Practice Placement Education

Real World Issues Cost of development. Cost of development. Connection issues with different computers. Connection issues with different computers. Confidence with IT. Confidence with IT. Added responsibility. Added responsibility. Size of text. Size of text. Change! Change!

Next steps... Academic resources More learning packages More learning packages Available in different formatsAvailable in different formats No ‘one fit’ for all - can choose between text or audio No ‘one fit’ for all - can choose between text or audio Encourage students to produce their own packagesEncourage students to produce their own packages Practice placement education Explore idea that students use their own mobile devices Explore idea that students use their own mobile devices ‘receiver not receptacle’‘receiver not receptacle’ Data not lost Data not lost Overcome connectivity issues Overcome connectivity issues