CyberSurgeons Live Simulation and PBL Development and Dissemination
Project Website(s)
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Project Description
We will develop two components: The CyberSurgeons live simulation conducted through distance learning technologies. The simulation features students working as part of a high-tech “remote trauma unit” in medical-surgical teams to diagnose and treat an ailing researcher deep in the rain forests of Ecuador. Online CyberSurgeons problem-based learning (PBL) module which features a “problem” about the quality of a cancer drug with case studies science articles datasets and charts to analyze hands-on inquiry-based activities and teacher support materials. CyberSurgeons will address these goals: Improve science education using innovative and highly engaging approaches to teaching and learning. Increase science literacy among high school students taking biology anatomy/physiology or related classes. Specifically we seek to increase knowledge and understanding of: the process of biomedical research and clinical trials how to evaluate the quality of research studies in these areas biomedical science especially as it relates to the development of pharmaceuticals and human anatomy and physiology especially the pathophysiology of cancer. Promote career awareness for biomedical fields among the target population. Create a program with the potential to be replicated for widespread use. Build on existing science education programs. Create a program that considers the needs of underrepresented and underserved groups.
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Abstract
The Center for Educational Technologies (CET) will implement a five-year Phase I and II development and dissemination project called CyberSurgeons. Through this project the CET will increase the knowledge of high school students taking biology physiology or related classes. In particular students will gain a greater understanding of human pathophysiology and the process of biomedical research and clinical trials. The project will influence the future of public health through encouraging students’ future participation in the clinical research enterprise and promoting greater career awareness of occupations in these fields. The CET will develop two components for students based on national standards. The first component is the CyberSurgeons live simulation conducted through distance learning technologies. The simulation features students working as part of a high-tech “remote trauma unit” in medical-surgical teams to diagnose and treat an ailing researcher deep in the rain forests of Ecuador. The second component is an online CyberSurgeons problem-based learning (PBL) module which features a “problem” about the quality of a cancer drug with case studies science articles datasets and charts to analyze; hands-on inquiry-based activities; and teacher support materials. Both components include optional activities promoting awareness of careers in biomedicine. During the development process the CET will conduct design-based evaluation. The live simulation and PBL components will each have two cycles of development classroom testing formative evaluation and revisions. An external evaluator will conduct a summative research study utilizing a quasi-experimental design to demonstrate the effectiveness of the modules in classrooms. Dependent measures will be science literacy science-related attitudes and career development. Program dissemination will utilize a multimodal multifaceted approach with the goal of program sustainability past the grant period. In the first three years partnerships will involve three school districts in the development and testing process. In the final two years the program will be promoted regionally then nationally-doubling program outreach each year. Additionally the program will be promoted among informal science education entities such as science centers and Challenger Learning Centers. Other dissemination means include conferences workshops promotional mailings and research papers.
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Dissemination Strategies
Program dissemination will utilize a multimodal multifaceted approach with the goal of program sustainability past the grant period. In the first three years partnerships will involve three school districts in the development and testing process. In the final two years the program will be promoted regionally then nationally-doubling program outreach each year. Additionally the program will be promoted among informal science education entities such as science centers and Challenger Learning Centers. Other dissemination means include conferences workshops promotional mailings and research papers.
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Project Evaluation(s)
During the development process the CET will conduct design-based evaluation. The live simulation and PBL components will each have two cycles of development classroom testing formative evaluation and revisions. An external evaluator will conduct a summative research study utilizing a quasi-experimental design to demonstrate the effectiveness of the modules in classrooms. Dependent measures will be science literacy science-related attitudes and career development. Guiding Evaluation Questions – The following questions will assess the impact of CyberSurgeons: In what ways does CyberSurgeons increase the science literacy of high school students in targeted contexts? In what ways does CyberSurgeons provide highly engaging science education in its design principles? How does CyberSurgeons promote biomedical-related career awareness? How effectively is CyberSurgeons disseminated? How well does CyberSurgeons facilitate teachers’ implementation by building on existing science education curricula? How does CyberSurgeons take into account the needs of underrepresented and underserved populations? Methods and Measures – Teacher interviews focus groups expert reviews classroom observations pre/post tests on learning outcomes/learners’ attitudes career interest pre/post surveys quasi-experimental study design metrics of program dissemination: number of states schools teachers students reached
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Resources for Sharing
New project. See http://e-missions.net/om and http://e-missions.net/om/teacher for our model.
Project Audience
High School Students
Subjects Addressed
Biology anatomy & physiology health
