Think back to your college days…what classes do you remember most? Chances are, regardless of major or credits earned, they’re probably the ones that unexpectedly changed your perspective, where an instructor seemed to go the extra mile to help you, or in which you felt a true sense of belonging. What your most memorable classes all have in common is that they engaged you. Now, just how did those instructors do it?
That’s the question we set out to answer in our latest webinar, Teaching Nursing Online: Leveraging Video for Professional Development and Practical Skills. During this webinar, the University of Rochester discussed how they leverage video, media and presentations in an online class format to develop nursing best practices. Examples of ways they engage students included capstone projects, project planning, foundational skills and professional development and identity.
In a recent webinar, several speakers, including Michael Rosario McCabe, the director for the RN to BS program, Tara Sirwatnick, the director of academic innovation, and Dr. Margaret Carno, a nursing instructor, and Rebecca Knowles, nurse residency program director, shared their experiences and highlighted the key points regarding the successful use of Harmonize in their respective courses. This article summarizes these key points to provide insights and guidance for educators and students seeking to optimize their use of Harmonize.
One of the fundamental aspects emphasized by the speakers was the necessity of creating a sense of community in online courses. By incorporating Harmonize into their courses, the University of Rochester can facilitate engaging activities that promote interaction among students. Tara Sirwatnick underscored the importance of using Harmonize for introductory activities, such as video introductions and low-stakes discussions, to create connections between students early on.
Students are encouraged to use videos and other interactive features throughout the course, deepening their engagement and promoting a truly interactive learning environment.
Harmonize serves as a versatile platform, enabling various forms of discussion. Michael Rosario McCabe emphasized that he uses Harmonize for both traditional instructor-led discussion boards and group discussions for projects within the RN to BS program. The flexibility of the platform allows posting diverse content types, including PowerPoint slides or word documents, enabling students to effectively communicate and collaborate within their respective groups. This fosters communication and collaboration, which are essential for successful teamwork in an online learning setting.
The speakers also acknowledged the profound impact of incorporating case studies into online nursing courses. By presenting case studies in an audio format, students are required to analyze, discuss key elements, and propose evidence-based solutions. Concurrently, case study leaders monitor and facilitate the discussions, ensuring active engagement and providing feedback to other students. This approach offers opportunities for students to engage with course content, learn from each other’s perspectives, and collectively problem-solve, resulting in a comprehensive learning experience — similar to how they would in a physical classroom.
Dr. Carno, a nursing instructor, highlighted the effectiveness of Harmonize for debates within online ethics and public policy courses. Through Harmonize, students are assigned to different parts of the debate and upload PowerPoints or videos, generating engaging conversations and providing opportunities for students to think critically about complex ethical issues.
Dr. Carno’s innovative approach also includes moderated discussions, where students cannot see their peers’ posts until they have made their own original contributions. This methodology ensures a diverse range of ideas and encourages students to engage with their peers’ perspectives, promotes original thought, and enhances critical thinking skills and ethical analysis.
Apart from fostering engagement and facilitating discussions, Harmonize entails features that promote peer feedback, self-reflection, and coaching, which are integral to the nursing education process. Speakers discussed the significance of coaching and providing feedback, both through video presentations and in simulated patient scenarios. Utilizing Harmonize for peer feedback facilitates the development of feedback-giving skills, an invaluable asset for nursing professionals. Furthermore, the incorporation of self-reflection activities in future courses, as proposed by the speakers, opens doors for deep introspection and individual growth among students.
During the conversation, speakers mentioned the use of video commenting features, which have proven particularly appealing to students who are technologically savvy, including gamers. They emphasized the ability of students to comment on specific points in the video, as well as share their own videos. This social annotation feature adds an interactive layer to video materials, fostering a more dynamic and engaged learning experience.
The speakers expressed their anticipation for upcoming features in Harmonize, including the addition of screen sharing. Adding a new level of interaction among students, this addition promises to enhance the platform’s potential for experiential learning and private reflections between students and instructors.
Using Harmonize for teaching nursing online has enabled diverse methodologies, such as case studies, debates, and moderated discussions. With Harmonize, educators can foster a sense of community, empower students through peer feedback and self-reflection, and enhance critical thinking skills. As the tool continues to evolve, the future looks promising for online nursing education, with Harmonize playing a pivotal role in supporting educators and nursing students alike.
