Instructional Partners
University of Pittsburgh Center for Innovation in Clinical Learning (CICL) consists of a cluster of teaching and learning environments all located on the 2nd floor of the School of Nursing. A nursing skills lab can be separated into two or three smaller spaces as needed and is fully equipped for physical assessment and treatment activities. Included are 10 hospital bedside units, 15 exam tables, 10 adult-sized mannequins and 3 child-sized mannequins. Additional equipment includes an intravenous simulation arm, the Simulation Assessment Mannequin (SAM) utilized for heart, lung, and bowel sound assessment, and a pelvic exam simulator. This area is used at the baccalaureate, master’s and clinical doctoral levels in the School’s nursing programs. It can also be used as a setup area for the simulation center.
- The simulation center includes both a work room and control room. The work room can be configured in multiple ways ranging from a simple exam/interview space to a full context operating suite. Multiple fully computerized mannequins, including adult, geriatric and pediatric are available for the use. The audio and video feed from this room can also be distributed within the building to multiple classrooms or sent via distance educational technologies to remote sites.
- Two separate computer labs are available in the CICL. These labs receive computer updates every three years and have a full compliment of productivity software, training software and practice exams. All computers are connected to the university’s local area network and from there to the Internet with at least 100 MBS.
- The interactive biological sciences lab includes a multimedia instructor’s bench that can transmit audio and video signals to each of the individual lab benches, multiple classrooms in the building and to remote locations via distance education technologies. Each student lab bench also houses a computer and a multi-purpose monitor. This monitor can receive input from any of the instructor equipment, such as computer, microscope, or instructor presentation camera. The student’s monitor also displays the output from the computer located at the student’s bench itself.
- The CICL also houses the School of Nursing’s book and multimedia reserve collections. A viewing area is available for small group viewings. A large multi-use room is used for interactive group work, research displays, conference, classes, quiet reading, or large group viewing.
University of Pittsburgh The Winter Institute for Simulation Education and Research (WISER) is a world class 12,000 square foot, state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary simulation center on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Over 10,000 training encounters were conducted over the last academic year. These included trainees of all levels ranging from student to medical GME, with numerous courses aimed at practicing clinicians. As a part of its mission, WISER serves the local healthcare community as well as the University of Pittsburgh and affiliates. There are over 50 successful learning systems used at the Institute. The courses were created by leveraging faculty expertise in simulation-based curriculum development with the local content experts. Course partners include the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, as well as various clinical departments ranging from Anesthesia, Obstetrics, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine. The Wiser Center is committed to conducting research aimed at improving patient safety and implementing simulation and technology enhancements to the education and assessment of healthcare providers of all levels.
Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) at St. Francis University is a nationally-recognized rural telehealth and distance learning initiative based in Loretto, PA. As an applied research center in the development and implementation of telehealth and learning technologies, CERMUSA focuses on solutions that best address the requirements in rural, isolated, and under-served communities. CERMUSA boasts a diverse and highly-qualified team, which includes professionals in fields such as healthcare disciplines, information technology (IT), instructional design, adult education, and business administration. CERMUSA’s facilities include:
- The John P. Murtha Rural Telehealth Research Center. A 10,200 square foot laboratory created to explore emerging wireless telecommunications and computing technologies that increase access to and healthcare education in rural isolated communities.
- Technology enhanced video-teleconferencing education and training centers. These rooms have seating capacities for 15-25 students.
- The Distance Learning Prototype Laboratory (DLPL) features the capabilities of high-end video production, computer graphics, and teleconferencing technologies. It provides the ability to simulate various clinical or educational environments through the use of multiple camera angles, “green screen” electronic video manipulation, editing, and post-production capabilities.
The West Virginia University’s (WVU) School of Nursing has been a leader in distance education for over 25 years. Presently the School of
Nursing offers the DNP and MSN programs using live synchronous Webcasts which are augmented with WebCT VISTA course management system. In addition, the RN-BSN program is offered as an online program utilizing WebCT VISTA course management system. Three levels of technological and instructional design support services are available to WVU School of Nursing faculty to assist in the design, implementation and evaluation of courses offered via distance learning. Our unique combination of support services allow us to provide distance education courses using primarily synchronous real-time classes with webcast technology. Specifically, Academic Technology provides support for WebCT VISTA, online survey development, and website management. Information Systems Operations (ISO) provides networking services for Health Sciences Center faculty in support of the teaching, learning, and research mission of the Health Sciences Center. The ISO staff provides technological support, maintenance and faculty development related to the use of webcast technology. Finally, since the graduate programs are offered as distance education programs, the administrative team at the School of Nursing collaborates with WVU's Extended Learning for faculty development and support services. In our role as an instructional
partner on the grant, WVU faculty will be able to collaborate with these departments to develop training programs."
The University of Hawaii Telemedicine Research Institute (TRI) is an education and research group of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) office of the Dean. Primary focus areas for TRI include distance learning, telehealth applications research and integration, and simulation-based education and research. An integrated medical simulation center facility called “SimTiki” is equipped with high fidelity manikins, virtual reality, and haptic-based simulation devices for education, training and research. Distance learning education and research are facilitated through Internet2 membership and a fully functional AccessGrid node, in addition to web-based and traditional VTC based learning platforms. The TRI is staffed with 14 full-time employees, including a multidisciplinary professional faculty (MD & PhD), graduate students (computer science), technical, management, and clerical staff. International programs for simulation training and distance learning are an integral TRI program component. TRI programs of investigation are supported by intra- and extramural funding.