Department of Physical Therapy gets funding to find out
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's Department of Physical Therapy (PT) can measure the success of their rural satellite Master's of Science in PT (MSc PT) program, which uses live video-conferencing for instruction, thanks to funding supplied by the University of Alberta's Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF).The department introduced cutting-edge, real-time video-conferencing technology to the classroom in September 2010. MSc PT students at the University of Alberta's Edmonton and Augustana (Camrose) campuses have been attending labs and classes together through high-definition video conferencing.
"Students at the Augustana campus in Camrose can watch an instructor in Edmonton, as though they are watching TV, but they can zoom in and out or ask questions as they wish," says Bernadette Martin, associate chair, Department of Physical Therapy.
Launched in 2006, TLEF grants allow U of A professors to improve their teaching skills and advance their understanding of learning processes in order to provide the best possible in-class experience to their students.
"Evaluating innovation in teaching and learning should be just as core as everything else that we do here," says Martin. "The U of A has really made teaching and learning evaluation a priority by providing funds for it."
The PT department received a TLEF grant of $84,958 to evaluate the project and ensure that the technology creates a equal learning environment for the rural MSc PT students.
Martin will use feedback from students and monitor their academic and clinical performance to determine whether or not this technology can continue to be used to create a positive teaching and learning experience. Data will also be collected based on how easy the technology is to use, instructors experiences with the technology and the impact that the project has had on the community.
While effective teaching is priority number one, the team also looks forward to determining if the program has encouraged students to remain in more rural communities to work.
"We started thinking about this project in 2007 after a provincial report stated that there is a growing shortage of physical therapists in AB, particularly in the rural areas," says Martin. "That's why we chose to pilot the project in Camrose. We will be looking for proof of concept but also to see if students stay there and work rurally post-graduation."
The technology is not new but it has never been used as an instructional tool in any Canadian physical therapy programs before. It required a lot of support, Martin says, but so far students' reactions have been positive.
"The first year has gone extremely well. I can't emphasize enough how important it was having everybody on board. You need that kind of support to make a change this big."
Students and faculty at both campuses have embraced the user-friendly technology with open arms and have learned to use it effectively. The initial responses were so positive, in fact, that the project received funding to finish its pilot and take on another cohort of students in Calgary.
"We are comfortable moving to Calgary now, knowing what to expect. It has been a successful experience and we hope it results in more physical therapists working in rural areas."
About the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology, physical education, medicine and engineering.