Dan Limmer, AS, LP, I/C

Friday, April 16, 2021

8:00 AM –  12:00 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: describe the flipped classroom concept / differentiate between a traditional and case-based approach / apply asymmetry to traditional lesson plans and class activities / anticipate student reactions to flipped and case-based learning / relate case-based and flipped learning to success on in-class and national testing situations / given an EMS topic, create a flipped, case-based lesson plan.

Face it. We’ve been doing things the same way for a while. Even when we try to bring new things into the classroom, we have the skeleton of our old habits holding us upright. Imagine how you would build an EMS class if you had no preconceived notions. Leave your traditional, symmetrical safety net at home. Bring your computer, course schedule, and lesson plans to this hands-on session where you will work collaboratively with fellow educators to use the F.A.C.E. building blocks to not just change but to foundationally shift toward better, more dynamic education.

You’ve heard a lot about the flipped classroom. Build the flipped classroom that really works.

Jeff Jarvis, MD, MS, EMT-P

3:30 – 4:20 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: describe the functions of antibodies, T-cells, and B-cells / describe the mechanism of action of various types of vaccines / describe clinical data from trials about efficacy and adverse events / describe the types of rapid tests and how they work / describe potential uses for rapid antigen tests in EMS.

Our lives, both professional and personal, have been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our best hope for a return of normalcy rests with mass vaccinations, yet there is much hesitancy among the EMS community about vaccinations. Traditionally, EMS education and practice haven’t focused on this topic which has allowed fear and misinformation to cloud our collective consciousness about the best tool medicine has against viral disease. Dr. Jarvis will discuss the basic science (in a non-coma-inducing way, don’t worry) of immunology, how vaccines take advantage of our body’s immunity, and the results of the clinical trials of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. He’ll become downright giddy about the science behind the new mRNA vaccines. He’ll then close by discussing how rapid testing works and how it can be used by agencies and education programs to decrease the spread of this virus.

Lance Villers, PhD, LP

5:45 – 6:35 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: describe new definitions of academic dishonesty and why students cheat / update learning environments to reduce cheating and increase learning / promote a culture of academic integrity in our students.

Students cheat. Is this because of laziness, lack of ethics, or a win-at-all-costs mentality? Maybe it’s because of the environments we create in the classroom that are based on our good intentions for high stakes multiple choice exams, arbitrary grading criteria, and high stakes performance requirements. This presentation will enpower instructors to create effective learning environments based on cognitive learning theories to help curb academic dishonesty and improve student learning and performance.

Kenneth Navarro

8:30 – 9:20 AM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: define technology-enhanced items / list advantages to the use of technology-enhanced items / list disadvantages to the use of technology-enhanced items / recognize the characteristics of a well-crafted technology-enhanced item.

Increasingly, many medical disciplines make use of computer-based delivery platforms for administering high-stakes standardized tests.  These platforms create opportunities for administering new types of technology-enhanced items (TEI). Recently, the National Registry of EMTs announced TEI items would begin appearing on examinations in the Fall of 2020 initially as pilot questions for validation. This presentation will introduce EMS educators to the world of TEI and provide guidance for incorporating these items into formative and summative assessments in the classroom.

Lara Ondruch

9:30 – 10:20 AM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: explain the importance of student engagement / deploy a poll in zoom / utilize Kahoot in their virtual classroom / increase student engagement in their virtual classrooms.

This lecture will provide some simple things educators can apply to their virtual classrooms today to help engage students more effectively!

Dan Limmer

11:00 – 11:50 AM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: identify 3 EMS situations where there are multiple correct answers or solutions / model clinical decision-making in situations with multiple correct answers or outcomes / consider the feelings of a student facing a situation with multiple correct answers or outcomes / relate situations with multiple correct answers or outcomes to in-class and national testing situations.

How many times have you answered a student’s question with “maybe” or “it depends” only to have them sigh in frustration? Questions like Can I get sued? or explaining concepts like relative contraindications can be challenging for both students and educators. Using actual class examples of problems and solutions, Dan will propose strategies that will reduce frustration as well as increase critical thinking skills when ‘maybe” is the answer. And as we all know, “maybe” is the answer more often than not.

Rick Freeman

1:30 – 2:20 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: understand critical thinking and how it relates to patient assessment at the Basic level / review steps of patient assessment / review identification of life threats and treat appropriately at the Basic level / understand cognitive biases in regard to critical thinking.

This course will introduce the convergent and divergent methodologies of thinking and prepare the educator to train learners to apply these principles to formulate a differential diagnosis, determine a working diagnosis, and establish a treatment plan. Through a case-based format, this course will provide educators with additional tools to develop learner’s patient evaluation and critical thinking skills.

Diedra Blankenship

2:30 – 3:20 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: define flipped classroom / discuss how to prepare for the future / explore if this really works / understand where the resource catalog is.

Several challenges were faced upon the pandemic arising and it wasn’t a horrible transition for us. We were already a “flipped classroom” style environment. What did change for us and how did we handle those situations set forth? Let’s talk about it. Things that worked. Things that didn’t work.  Let’s not mention clinicals (but of course we are going to!!). Helping others with those fine-tuned details is a very rewarding feat.

Matthew Ondruch

3:30 – 4:20 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: identify problems with part time faculty / identify root causes of different issues / understand resources available to help part time faculty succeed /review personnel management tactics.

As new challenges arise, one will always remain the same; what is the exact role of part time faculty? This lecture will explore challenges that face both part time educators as well as full time faculty and ideas on how to combat them. We will look at the use and implementation of adjunct/part time instructors in programs in various capacities. A wide range of topics will be covered including the different roles they may serve in, challenges faced using adjunct instructors and ways to keep them vested in our programs. We will discuss preparing the instructors for skills/lecture, scheduling, dealing with common issues that come from various types of personalities and how it pertains ensuring the students success in the classroom.

Adam Parkhurst

4:30 – 5:20 PM

Omni Corpus Christi

Objectives: define performance culture / define and redefine average / explore the setting of measurable goals / describe the principals of adult education and the building of a mentor program / understand building and influencing culture.

Average is a word that we are all familiar with, and often a word that has a negative connotation. Yet outside of the very best and the very worst in your organization, the bulk of your people are some degree of average. So instead of focusing on the best performers and lowest performers in your organization, leaving a large group in the middle that remains stagnant or worse, loses ground, that you should instead redefine your expectations to improve the entire organization. I believe that by changing your definition of average, then empowering members of your department to teach classes on subjects they are passionate about, you change the culture of your organization, and pull up the performance of all members as a consequence. This focus on empowerment and passion changes the culture of the organization to view training and education as not something you have to do, but something that is woven into the very fabric of the organization.