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Telework:Using WebCT as aVirtual WorkplaceIrene L.E. Mueller, Ed.D, RHIA

Mary Teslow, MLIS, RHIAHealth Information AdministrationDepartment of Health Sciences

Ann Hallyburton, MLSHunter Library

Western Carolina University Telework Using WebCT

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The Challenge

Rural WNC Limited internship sites

HIM professionals willing BUT -- Contracts

Timeframe Rejections Negotiation New requirements

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PPE Pain

How much pain?

Time crisis Students at risk Frustrated

Coordinator Challenges

likely to continue

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The Value-Added Response

What could we doin ONE month ? ! ? To create an alternative 12-day internship With ongoing value

Use what we Use what we had!had!

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The Innovation

Create a “Virtual Internship” Telework focus

External online learning materials Including: video, demonstrations,

handbooks, and government resources Librarian role

Role model telework environment Pros and cons: employee and employer Workstation design and ergonomics

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The Innovation Using WebCT

Students and faculty already skilled

Two Companion Sites Course Site

Students registered

WestHealth Our virtual IDS

(integrated delivery system)

Resource Center

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The Opportunity

Role modeling emerging practice e-Health environment and technologies

Reinforcing previous content In a contextual simulation

Healthcare is increasingly using: Telework & Teamwork IDS with multiple sites Digital communication

and Intranets forresource access

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Design Goals

Reinforce essential competencies Communication skills

written, electronic, oral Time management Initiative Business etiquette Technology skills Applying Junior year content

Metacognition, Self-awareness Reflective journal

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WebCT Campus Edition

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WebCT Tools

Conditional Release

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Day Assignments

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Day Sheet Example Visit WestHealth’s Human Resource Department

Open and save the Employee Time Log Complete today and subsequent days according to the

instructions Finished logs for each of the first two weeks are due the

following Monday at 9:30 am (Post in the Drop Box area of HIA 483 WebCT course)

Open and save the PPE Orientation Certification Processfrom today’s materials in HIA 483.

Review carefully Complete the following Modules:

Clinical Orientation Behaviors; Ethics; Bloodborne Pathogens Prepare for a quiz on this material tomorrow Visit WestHealth’s IT Services Dept.

Open and save the Web Site Evaluation information Complete the Website Evaluation for your acute care facility Post your Website Evaluation in the HIA 483 WebCT

course drop box by 3:00 pm today, 5/9.

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WestHealth

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WestHealth HI Department

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Course Management

Matrix Map of the big picture (due dates, etc.) Course site vs. WestHealth

File Management File updating and naming

WebCT Tools Conditional release, drop box, quizzes,

teams, discussions (public and private)chat, journaling

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Not Usual DE

NOT the same as traditional distance education Students clock in and receive daily

assignments They work all day with

a lunch hour and breaks Students cannot work ahead

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Lessons Learned

Short TAT: course end to grades due Make larger project due sooner Role of the “notebook” modified

Clarify expectations well before start The schedule and behavior expectations

Assure students have technology Hardware and software High speed Internet access

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Benefits: Students

Application of professional content Transition from junior to Senior

year Reflective Journal

“I think this experience showed me thatI really did retain a lot more information than I would have guessed. It put the knowledge to the test…”

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Benefits: Students

Application of work competencies Hands-on, practical, experiential Computer-related, interpersonal Understanding organizational context

“…helped me to realize different standardsyou have when you are having a business conversation compared to the conversationsyou have with your friends on the phone.”

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Benefits: Students

Increasing student familiarity with e-Health workplace and telework Role-modeling emerging practice

“The ability to meet deadlinesis one of the greatest challenges of a teleworker… with many different distractions.”

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Benefits: Students

Self-directed learning skills Time management Lifelong learning Self assessment / Gap analysis

“I … found out quickly that I needed to prioritize my tasks for each day so I would know which ones were of the most importance.”“I think this was successful in providing self-evaluations for everyone of what they did and didn’t learn in classes this year.”

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Benefits: Students

Students valued the experience and gained important insights Self-awareness, appreciation

for positive teamwork Management of teleworkers Clarification of their job preferences

“Overall, I feel like I have learned a lot from this PPE.I feel that I have learned a lot about myself, too.”

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Benefits: Faculty

Reduced stress Internship alternative

More faculty control vs. contract management frustration

Important insights into alternative practice

Work in progress Able to meet immediate needs Improved with each iteration

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Unexpected Benefits

Increased student independence Feedback

Clearer understanding of student strengths and needs

Increased WebCT sophistication For faculty and students Transferred to other WebCT courses

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The Summary

The Challenge Creating an alternative internship Limited time and resources

The Value-Added Response WebCT site for telework

simulation Efficient for faculty time/effort

from the beginning

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Results to Date

Work in progress

Crisis – Spring ‘05

2nd Year – Summer ‘06

1st Year – Summer ‘05

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Model for Others

Scalable Adaptable to other disciplines Librarian collaboration

Specialist in your discipline

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Additional Resources Telework

Mgt Initiatives Organizations Workers with

Disabilities Environment and

Sustainability Simulation

Technology Assessment of DE Web-SP WHISSL

MERLOT Subjects e-Commerce

Management

Health Sciences

Information Technology

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Telework:Using WebCT as aVirtual WorkplaceContact Information:

Irene Mueller, EdD, RHIAimueller@email.wcu.edu

Thank You

Questions