199526 Developing an online course for international public health practitioners using Lectora

Monday, November 9, 2009: 3:15 PM

Laura Alexander, BA , North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Amy Nelson, PhD, MPH, CPH , University of North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Jennifer Michalove, MPH , Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Joshua Mott, EMT-P, PhD , Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Jennifer A. Horney, PhD, MA, MPH, CPH , North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Preparedness for the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic remains a high priority for public health staff and institutions. In 2008, the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a multi-faceted training program on seasonal, avian, and pandemic influenza for international public health practitioners. The 11-module training program was developed in two formats: Microsoft PowerPoint slides with accompanying text for use in group learning environments, and an interactive format for independent study created in Lectora. Lectora authoring software by Trivantis allows for increased interactivity and functionality of curriculum. The avian influenza training incorporates audio clips, review questions, charts and diagrams, and an imbedded glossary, as well as two interactive case study scenarios. Additionally, links were created between modules in Lectora to allow students to easily review material from other modules. Selected modules of the training program were pilot-tested in Malaysia in 2008 and in Africa in 2009. Evaluation data on the usability and learnability of the course were collected. The complex nature of influenza, the wide range of topics covered in this course, and an audience that is increasingly busy with other demands lend themselves well to an online learning platform such as Lectora that allows for interactivity and flexibility. The North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness is located in the North Carolina Institute for Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Learning Objectives:
Identify the advantages and disadvantages of a self-paced distance learning platform. Discuss the importance self-paced distance learning in an international setting. List three interactive components of self-paced distance learning. Describe features of Lectora self-paced learning that enhance the learning experience. Evaluate the acceptability of a distance learning delivery format.

Keywords: Distance Learning, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Ms. Laura Alexander is a social research assistant at the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness. She specializes in curriculum development and distance education, with extensive experience in Blackboard, Adobe Connect, and Lectora authoring software. Ms. Alexander has assisted with online courses for communicable diseases nurses in North Carolina and local health department staff responsible for pandemic influenza planning. She has developed curriculum on disease outbreak investigations, occupational health issues, and mental health disaster preparedness, as well as seasonal, avian, and pandemic influenza. Ms. Alexander also works with the National Public Health Leadership Institute. Ms. Alexander received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and will begin work on her master's degree at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in the fall of 2009.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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