Monday, November 8, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Learning About Spreadsheets and Our Heart
The project I chose was “A Healthy Heart” by Sherri Johns. This was designed for the 6th grade, physical education and health class. The students were introduced to the basics of Excel by using M&M’s. Then a BSU professor came and taught the class about the heart. The students learned how to count their heart rate after both aerobic and anaerobic activities. This information was then put into a spreadsheet.
To adapt this for a 12th grade honors class, I would bring in a few cow hearts and allow the students to dissect them to see the structures for themselves. We could monitor heart rates and perhaps expand the aerobic activities or extend the time for the observation. We could also have the students obtain heart rates on family members and make spreadsheets of that information. It would also be appropriate to include training of obtaining blood pressure readings for this group. I would also like to include the use of ECG recordings and show how a heart rate is recorded.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Classroom Netiquette Guidelines
Classroom Netiquette Guidelines
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you!
Safety first!
Do not share personal information.
Do not share passwords and do not ask someone for theirs.
Always be courteous!
If you would not say it to their face, do not write it online.
If you cannot say something nice, say nothing.
Avoid using all caps – its shouting.
Stop and think how you would feel if someone said that against you.
If you do not understand that is written, kindly ask the author what they mean.
Do not post pictures and/or videos of others without their permission.
Be honest!
Do not copy someone’s work – properly show credits.
Always follow the guidelines given with each assignment.
Talk to your teacher!
If you have any questions or concerns.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Activity
The Jigsaw method is an interesting concept and in some ways is already utilized in allied health education, especially in the laboratory and clinical classrooms. Teamwork and direct participation is a requirement. For the lecture portion, I can see the technique being useful in breaking down several complex subjects and allowing the students to teach each other. A good example would be the various types of diets: low-fat, low-carb, diabetic, vegetarian, gluten-free, glycemic index, or Paleo, just to name a few. The students will learn the information, as well as how to research. They will also learn patient education skills.
A definite advantage of this technique allows the students to think for themselves, learn how to research and find reputable information, learn how to recognize a poor source of information, learn how to effectively communicate with their peers and future patients, as well as help them remember the information much longer.
A disadvantage involves the many different types of personalities. There will always be those who know-it-all, those who feel they should be in charge, bullies, wall-flowers, and on and on. It is ultimately the instructors responsibility to ensure that everyone works together. It is important for the instructor to establish guidelines and boundaries for all students.
Google Apps
There are three classroom tools I find interesting. They include YouTube, Webinars, and Google Apps for Education Teacher Training.
YouTube will allow me to show students educational films demonstrating various medical procedures that I would otherwise be unable to do. I can introduce the students to many different types of equipment, procedures, and various tests. We will be able to actually see the videotaped colonoscopy or perhaps bronchoscopy. They will be able to see the results of MRIs, CTs, or various nuclear medicine scans. I can also use short films to present various patient-staff situations and then have discussions of how to handle these situations.
The Webinars would allow for continued educational training and/or workshops to occur wherever the individuals are. Anyone anywhere could sign up for the inservice/training session, listen to the lecture and complete the online quiz to receive their credit for completing the training. This will be especially helpful if I am working with a large corporation who has offices in several states.
The Google apps for Education Teacher Training would provide me the resources to train other allied health instructors in how to effectively use Google Apps and the various products that are available to assist them in training the future health care workers.
Google docs will also play an important part in training. This application will allow a team of students to work on a project. It will help to reinforce the importance of team work and allow them to work on a project together, eliminating one of the more common obstacles, that of preparing the written document. This application allows everyone to have a part and responsibility in the finished product.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Assistive Techology Provides More Opportunities
I was very impressed by the young quadriplegic man, Todd, who created a successful career for himself working in IT. His use of the computer adaptive tools demonstrate that one is truly only limited by their own self. He was able to use a mouth wand to turn pages on a magazine or book. He used a joystick to operate his wheelchair. He used puffs of air to operate his mouse. His workstation was adjusted to allow his wheelchair to fit and everything was adjusted and placed in the correct position for him to reach them.
These types of devices are very useful for individuals with major cognitive challenges. Within the medical occupations, these devices would enable an individual to pursue a career in medical billing and coding. These individuals translate the information provided by the physician (e.g., reason for the visit, the patient’s diagnoses, treatment provided, procedures performed, etc.) into a specific numerical or alphanumerical code that is then provided to the insurance carrier for payment. The passage of the Health Information Portability and Accessibility Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has resulted in the beginnings of electronic medical records and insurance clearinghouses. All insurance claims must now be submitted electronically, something the patient is unable to do. This requires specialized training to understand the forms and correctly chose the codes to enable the physician to receive payment.
There was a time when individuals with these extreme challenges had no opportunity to develop a meaningful career. They were victims of a society that locked them away. They were told, “You can’t do that”. Today’s technology has opened a marvelous world of countless opportunities for these individuals; all they have to do is take the first step. I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams, especially in education. To be able to have a workstation such as this for a student who is disable, and watch them learn and grow would be so worthwhile. It would also provide a learning experience for the rest of the class. They would be given the opportunity to see that everyone, no matter who they are, can be a contributing member of society.
These types of devices are very useful for individuals with major cognitive challenges. Within the medical occupations, these devices would enable an individual to pursue a career in medical billing and coding. These individuals translate the information provided by the physician (e.g., reason for the visit, the patient’s diagnoses, treatment provided, procedures performed, etc.) into a specific numerical or alphanumerical code that is then provided to the insurance carrier for payment. The passage of the Health Information Portability and Accessibility Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has resulted in the beginnings of electronic medical records and insurance clearinghouses. All insurance claims must now be submitted electronically, something the patient is unable to do. This requires specialized training to understand the forms and correctly chose the codes to enable the physician to receive payment.
There was a time when individuals with these extreme challenges had no opportunity to develop a meaningful career. They were victims of a society that locked them away. They were told, “You can’t do that”. Today’s technology has opened a marvelous world of countless opportunities for these individuals; all they have to do is take the first step. I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams, especially in education. To be able to have a workstation such as this for a student who is disable, and watch them learn and grow would be so worthwhile. It would also provide a learning experience for the rest of the class. They would be given the opportunity to see that everyone, no matter who they are, can be a contributing member of society.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
My Introduction
Hi! My name is Mary. I love learning and sharing new things with others. My desire is to assist in the education of the Allied Health professions in developing educational materials needed for training and to offer continuing education products. I often find myself frustrated that the options to fulfill my continued education requirements are slim. One day I realized I could make a difference. I love to teach. I love to create educational material. My professional career has been in the medical realm for over 30 years. Why not combine all three and create my own company to provide the resources for others?
Over the years, I have found the greatest satisfaction in helping others learn. I had never considered teaching, until I was asked. I needed a job, so I tried. I was hooked! There is nothing greater than to watch an individual come in, then grow and change as they learn the necessary skills (like give an injection or draw blood) and feel good about their accomplishments. Life has a way of making changes and I left teaching to worked in other areas. During this time, I still found myself mentoring and helping entry-level employees learn the job. As a transcriptionist, I was often listening to difficult dictation and explaining the physician mumbling. As a medical assistant, I was teaching new concepts and sharing the latest information. I took advantage of opportunities to develop inservice training. When the opportunity came to reenter teaching, I jumped at it. Then came my opportunity to achieve my own educational goals and I made the decision to leave my teaching position, so I could concentrate on my studies.
My professional background includes over 30 years in a variety of medical fields. Of course, life comes with twists and turns and some of the changes were due to trying to figure out what I was going to do when I grew up. My training has included Army LPN, medical assistant, medical transcriptionist, and massage therapist. I have spent time employed as each of them as well as an allied health instructor. I had the most fun when I was able to play with words and create educational materials for my class. If I wanted something for the class and I could not find it, I would try to create it. I was also introduced to reviewing textbooks during this last teaching position and that led to my latest adventure.
After all this time, I feel I have finally, (maybe), found what I want to be when I grow up. About eight years ago, a friend asked me to proofread his monthly newsletter. This was great! Now when those typos would jump off the page at me, I was actually allowed to let the author know. In fact, he wanted to know. And he paid me!! What a concept! Then I put myself on the list to review medical assisting textbooks. One day, an editor contacted me about proofreading and as they say “the rest is history”! Over the past three years, I have assisted with various textbooks covering medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical assisting, billing and coding, massage therapy, mammography, and my current project is for pharmacists. I have proofread, copyedited, prepared manuscripts with tagging, created test banks, glossary spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, tested student resource CDs, and various other projects, and I get to do all this while sitting at home, barefoot!! After all these years, there is finally someone who is willing to pay me for my little quirks and attention-to-detail. Someone appreciates that I can pick up inconsistencies and they reward me with a paycheck! How cool is that! Therefore, this class is just one more piece of my foundation as I move closer to the opening of my company, C.E.R.A.H. of Idaho, Comprehensive Educational Resources for Allied Health of Idaho.
Over the years, I have found the greatest satisfaction in helping others learn. I had never considered teaching, until I was asked. I needed a job, so I tried. I was hooked! There is nothing greater than to watch an individual come in, then grow and change as they learn the necessary skills (like give an injection or draw blood) and feel good about their accomplishments. Life has a way of making changes and I left teaching to worked in other areas. During this time, I still found myself mentoring and helping entry-level employees learn the job. As a transcriptionist, I was often listening to difficult dictation and explaining the physician mumbling. As a medical assistant, I was teaching new concepts and sharing the latest information. I took advantage of opportunities to develop inservice training. When the opportunity came to reenter teaching, I jumped at it. Then came my opportunity to achieve my own educational goals and I made the decision to leave my teaching position, so I could concentrate on my studies.
My professional background includes over 30 years in a variety of medical fields. Of course, life comes with twists and turns and some of the changes were due to trying to figure out what I was going to do when I grew up. My training has included Army LPN, medical assistant, medical transcriptionist, and massage therapist. I have spent time employed as each of them as well as an allied health instructor. I had the most fun when I was able to play with words and create educational materials for my class. If I wanted something for the class and I could not find it, I would try to create it. I was also introduced to reviewing textbooks during this last teaching position and that led to my latest adventure.
After all this time, I feel I have finally, (maybe), found what I want to be when I grow up. About eight years ago, a friend asked me to proofread his monthly newsletter. This was great! Now when those typos would jump off the page at me, I was actually allowed to let the author know. In fact, he wanted to know. And he paid me!! What a concept! Then I put myself on the list to review medical assisting textbooks. One day, an editor contacted me about proofreading and as they say “the rest is history”! Over the past three years, I have assisted with various textbooks covering medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical assisting, billing and coding, massage therapy, mammography, and my current project is for pharmacists. I have proofread, copyedited, prepared manuscripts with tagging, created test banks, glossary spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, tested student resource CDs, and various other projects, and I get to do all this while sitting at home, barefoot!! After all these years, there is finally someone who is willing to pay me for my little quirks and attention-to-detail. Someone appreciates that I can pick up inconsistencies and they reward me with a paycheck! How cool is that! Therefore, this class is just one more piece of my foundation as I move closer to the opening of my company, C.E.R.A.H. of Idaho, Comprehensive Educational Resources for Allied Health of Idaho.
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