Emerging Technologies for Global Public Health

I teach a class on Emerging Technologies for Global Public Health. Course content explores eight technology themes – social networking, microblogging, location-based applications, social podcasting, mobile applications, google for global health and social media in government health offices. Each week, participants learn how global public health agents use a specific technology through case studies and examples. Then, course participants learn how to use each technology and consider how the technology might contribute to their own public health research area.

The course is innovative because of its content. Technology is not typically taught in schools of public health. It is also innovative because of participants' ages, roles and experience levels. Finally, it is innovative because I teach streaming online and in person. Participants attend class or watch it online using a web conferencing tool. Thirty participants enrolled in the class. Two-thirds of the participants are residential, attending class on campus. One-third of the participants attend virtually, are either off campus or distance learners. Sessions are recorded for asynchronous learners. Participants are a mix of full time students, executive masters students, staff and faculty at the school. Final projects apply a technology to create or improve the online presence of a real public health organization or issue. The class meets in a lecture hall equipped with flat screen monitors, microphones, a presenter's station with computer and speakers. Evaluation survey results are available in May. Qualitative and quantitative results will show impact of the course environment and course content on the participants' learning.