 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Anthony C. Gallagher, MA, Research & Product Development, American Red Cross, 8111 Gatehouse Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042 and Patricia Bonifer-Tiedt, ScM, MS, Educational Program Evaluation, National Headquarters, American Red Cross, 8111 Gatehouse Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042-1203, 703-206-7713, boniferp@usa.redcross.org.
Theories of adult learning state that education is most effective when lessons are self-directed, build on life experiences, apply to "real life" situations, and capitalize on learners' understanding of their own knowledge gaps (Knowles, Holton and Swanson, 1998). We applied these concepts to a blended-learning CPR curriculum.
The blended course used online lessons followed by instructor-led skill practice and assessment. The online experience started with a diagnostic pre-test to assess student baseline knowledge, resulting in a personalized lesson plan. Highly interactive online lessons utilized problem solving exercises. Two-hour instructor-led skill sessions allowed students to practice CPR skills with performance feedback.
In a 15 city evaluation, we measured student knowledge and self-efficacy before and after each course segment. Students made significant gains using the online lessons (p<0.005), with no decline between finishing the online lessons and starting the skill practice and assessment session (p>0.5, n.s.).
We also compared outcomes from online learners to students in traditional classroom education. On all five outcome measures, online learners outperformed their classroom counterparts (p<0.009).
Adult learners preferred the blended course to traditional classroom education. The research was hampered by the limits of the computerized system, which was better suited for presenting content than collecting data. Lessons learned for successful implementation will be discussed. Blended-learning is an effective, convenient and affordable way to impart safety information. Because it was built on general principles of adult education, blended learning could be effectively applied to other public health topics, such as, AED training, HIV/AIDS, home safety or bioterrorism.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Distance Education, Public Health Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.