History
VILOs have successfully solved some very
real challenges
faced by Ivy Tech Community College's Medical Assisting program in the School of Health
Sciences. Facility expansion continues to lag behind the record
enrollment rates of recent years, which leaves students without enough
lab space. Tools for ensuring consistent instruction were also needed,
and the expense of lab kits was daunting. "Some of our procedures cost
up to $8.00 or more per student, and students usually practice the
procedures multiple times before being ready to check off," stated
Patricia Ley.
These problems needed to be solved, and
School of Health Sciences Chair, Candace Schladenhauffen and Medical
Assisting Program Chair, Tova Green, sensed that the solution lies in
the effective use of multimedia and instructional technology. Tova
approached Phyllis Wiegmann, Director of Academic Affairs/Support
Services for advice. Phyllis suggested they contact Director of
Instructional Technology, Andaz Ahmad for ideas.
Andaz was
familiar with the concept of learning objects and interactive
multimedia using animation and/or video to teach a particular concept
or address an instructional objective. After meeting with Patricia, he
determined that this project's defined scope, competency driven nature
and need for interactive self-assessment made it a perfect fit for the
VILOs concept. Funding from the Lilly Endowment Grant, managed by Jeana
Bodart, Adjunct Faculty Coordinator, to support the professional
development of adjunct faculty made it possible to bring the concept to
fruition.
"The
accrediting body,
CAAHEP-AAMA requires continued practice of the skill until the mastered
and this does not always happen in scheduled class time. Additionally,
funds are not available for open lab time and additional lab resources,
which was identified by NCA as an area the college needed to improve
on. This plan will allow the MEA program and the college to address
this student need through a “virtual” open lab concept."
Tova Green, Medical Assisting Program Chair
