Modification of Classes:
In my first semester at Casper College I did not change much of anything that the previous EMS Program Administration had in place. After the first semester though, I started making changes to the classes and locations of classes. We started using our EMS Lab also as a consistent classroom to help the students form an immersive experience in the didactic portion of schooling. Students had expressed concerns for how our “lab” days were scheduled with everyone there at the same time, but not enough instructors. The students and I made an immediate change to the lab schedule, allowing half of the students to come 1 day and the other half on day 2. The students had assigned days, but only having to come once, while getting more time in scenarios really seemed to make a difference. The most recent modification to the courses were to change class days to either Monday/Tuesday or Wednesday/Thursday (depending on your cohort). Previously we did class on Tuesday/Thursday and labs on any day of the week. With these new days of the week, students will have didactics and lab on their assigned weekdays - helping to reduce confusion for students and employees.
Reflection
Modification of Assignments:
As I have continued to create assignments for my courses, I have learned that very clear instructions are necessary for student understanding. I have also learned that only verbalizing the instructions is not the best way to identify how to complete an assignment. I have started utilizing Moodle Descriptions and activity instructions on a consistent basis for the students. Most of my assignments are also discussed with my Faculty and/or Primary Adjunct Instructors. Discussing the assignments allows me to get additional perspectives on best practices along with perspectives on how the assignment may be comprehended by students.
Modification of Teaching:
Although I use my student evaluations to make changes in my teaching for the following semester, I also talk with my students throughout the semester to make teaching changes. Initially in the beginning of the semester and their program, the students are hesitant to give constructive feedback. As the semester goes on, the students notice that I keep asking for feedback and will start to truly provide opinions on what to change for lecture, lab, tests, ect. The first big change I have made for modification of teaching is giving the students a “quiz” on the first day of the semester. This allows me to review where they are at and what topics we may need to readdress before moving on with their education. Another teaching modification I have made is allowing the students to “student teach” on some of the topics we discuss. I have found that breaking the students into groups and giving them time to work together, to then “student teach” has really helped with understanding and retention of the material. An additional modification to teaching I have made is actively involving my online students in discussions instead of allowing the in-person students to dominate the discussion.
In making these changes, I have become a better instructor. I continue to strive to be a great instructor and believe I will get there with these changes I have made and future changes I may not know about yet. While improving myself as an educator, I will also immediately be improving the care given to prehospital patients in our county and beyond.
Future Growth:
While reviewing my teaching and reflecting on the processes I use, I believe my biggest area for growth is to continue becoming comfortable teaching and believing in myself. I still rely on the PowerPoints provided from the publisher and I would like to get to a place where I don’t utilize them as much as I do currently. When I am eligible to become a site visitor for other EMS Programs, I would enjoy this appointment. I believe this would show me new ideas and/or practices that other programs are using to bring back to implement in our EMS Programs.
I would love to continue incorporating AI into the Paramedic Program. Our students are aware that AI is approved to use within our program, but there are "rules of engagement" when utilizing AI.
On a personal level, I have been looking into Doctoral Programs. Being selected to a doctoral program would allow me to continue learning new material while mastering the Paramedic materials.
