Elizabeth Rodriguez

Innovative learning allows instructor to reach students in large scale at the comfort of their home .During COVID, we moved to e-learning via ZOOM and other platforms of teaching and communication. We tried to replaced in-person clinical via simulation scenarios online but still we feel like lagging in skills. I think nursing cannot be replaced electronically, we need human touch and in person care .

In experiential learning cycle, knowledge results from combination of grasping and transforming experience. Nursing is  not only about learning theory but be able to perform certain skills to care for our patients. 

Transformative learning is a type of learning applicable to clinical setting where we connect theory to practice. It focuses on "how we know" rather than "what we know".  Gaining new knowledge and skills for implementing new plans.

I like the idea of constructivist approach to apply in clinical setting- posing real problems  in which students can work ( real patients and real medical condition ) and help students to identify, pursue and reflect own learning goals and strategies.

Students learn in different ways , teachers need to approach students in variety of teaching strategies.  In clinical, it is important to actually perform ( hands on ) to translate theory learning  to  actual performance of skills/ procedure.

Look on potentials not weaknesses, help students overcome their weaknesses. 

 Social Media groups , You tube videos, Teacher tube.com are just few of the platforms we used in our remote learning. Now we are back in-person learning and we continue to incorporate different platforms  we learned during remote learning / teaching to create more engaging learning  environment. 

 It is so amazing during Covid  and  we suddenly taught remotely. I learned a lot of different apps and platforms integrated in our remote teaching and learning like Zoom, Slideshare, Blogs, Game and Quiz generator, Google docs sharing, Mobile attendance, Swift River to mimic hands -on learning etc. I found out that there are  a lot of ways to teach students and it is more engaging. 

Students can learn theory from different sources, but applications, skills or hands-on skills are  very important in Nursing. During Covid we became creative in showing videos of skills, Swift River scenarios but we found out that students still lagging on hands on and  had difficulty applying theory learned from watching videos of the procedures.  Performing the skills multiple times is more effective in gaining mastery of specific procedure. 

Finding strategies to reduce, eliminate stress- sharing, exercise, breathing exercises, stretching and getting enough sleep.