The role of Learning Technologist when implementing

virtual patients in a health science curriculum

Ronny Sejersen , Nabil Zary

Virtual Patient Lab

Department of Learning, Informatics, Management & Ethics (LIME)
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
1. Introduction

2. Purpose of the study

3. Method and material

4. Result

5. Recommendations

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Introduction

What is Learning technology?

Learning technology is the broad range of

communication, information and related technologies

that can be used to

support learning, teaching, and assessment.

ALT - the Association for Learning Technology - http://www.alt.ac.uk/

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Introduction

What is a learning technologist (LT)?

People who are actively involved in

- managing
- researching
- supporting LEARNING!
- enabling

with the use of learning technology.

ALT - the Association for Learning Technology - http://www.alt.ac.uk/

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Purpose of the study
 To investigate the activities undertaken by a LT when VPs
are implemented in medicine, dentistry and nursing
courses.

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Method

A longitudinal study was performed between 2006 and 2008.

We used observation, questionnaires and interviews with
different stakeholders engaged in the implementation of
virtual patients in courses.

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Method

- The data was analyzed with the aims to:

- create a model and

- suggest best practice

for how to involve a learning technologist in implementing

virtual patients in a course.

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Material

The study is based on data collected during 32 courses which

involved 29 teachers and 2182 students.

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 Result

The functions of LT during the implementation

Awareness

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 Result

The functions of LT during the implementation

Awareness Learning VP

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 Result

The functions of LT during the implementation

Awareness Learning VP Create VPs

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 Result

The functions of LT during the implementation

Curriculum
Awareness Learning VP Create VPs
design

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 Result

The functions of LT during the implementation

Curriculum
Awareness Learning VP Create VPs Course
design

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 Result

The functions of LT during the implementation

Curriculum Evaluation/
Awareness Learning VP Create VPs Course
design research

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Recommendations

-New implementing model where the LT is an interface

between teacher and other persons.

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Recommendations

-New implementing model where the LT is an interface

between teacher and other persons.

What competencies are core and what are not required?

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Recommendations

-New implementing model where the LT is an interface

between teacher and other persons involved.

What competencies are core and what are not required?

-The core competence is to function as a bi-directional

interface between faculty on one side, and developers on the
other side. The admin and support role however, is not a
required role for a learning technologist.

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Recommendations

-New implementing model where the LT is an interface

between teacher and other persons.

What competencies are core and what are not required?

-The core competence is to function as a bi-directional

interface between faculty on one side, and developers on the
other side. The admin and support role however, is not a
required role for a learning technologist.

- Strengthening the identity of the LT will lead to a respectful

relationship between the faculty and the LT.

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Take home message

Learning technologist have the unique

position to play a bi-directional interface role
between VP authors and users on one side,
and developers that creates the VP systems
on the other side.

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The Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow is one of the most ancient
mines in the world. It has been operating since the 13th century.
The mine reaches a depth of 327 meters, and is over 300 km
long. Without a kind of“Learning Technologist” the mine would
probably not be build and exist!?

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Ronny Sejersen 
ronny.sejersen@ki.se

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