Heidi MortensenCHEP

I often use subjective assessment for my online students via written essay type answers. A study showed the value of subjective assessment used in anesthesiology residency e-leanrning ( Chu et. al, 2013). Reference Chu LF, Ngai LK, Young CA, Pearl RG, Macario A, Harrison TK. (2013). Preparing Interns for Anesthesiology Residency Training: Development and Assessment of the Successful Transition to Anesthesia Residency Training (START) E-Learning Curriculum. J Grad Med Educ. ;5(1):125-9. doi: 10.4300/JGME-D-12-00121.1.

Because alternative assessment is conducible to online online, I try to use this with my students. Students being able to evaluate their work and benefit from the evaluation process is wonderful. Great Module!

Formative assessment is critical in online programs. I am aware of the need to be using such assessment to better understand my students' ongoing progress; thus I am able to modify lessons to improve from assessment results. The value of formative assessment programs are noted in randomized control trials (BMC Med Educ, 2014). Reference Palmer, E., & Devitt, P. (2014). The assessment of a structured online formative assessment
program: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Med Educ. 14:8.

Technology tools are very important for a solid online course. In my health science courses I use technology tools and references for online resources most appropriate for this population. Technology tools are very crucial for the success of online courses for medical students (Han, Nelson, & Wetter, 2014). 
Reference 
Han, H., Nelson, E., & Wetter, N. (2014). Medical students' online learning technology needs.
Clin Teach. 11(1):15-9.

Posting to discussion sessions should always be meaningful and not forced. Over the years, I've encouraged many posting through encouraging students through praise and adding additional references to supplement their posts; thus, encouraging further posting from them.

Helping students with communication is essential in online courses. Some students may need more encouragement than others but it is essential to motivate and set proper guidelines for appropriate online course communication. Encouraging improvement for communication skills in online settings may be necessary (Foronda, Gattamorta, Snowden, & Bauman, 2013)
. Reference Foronda, C., Gattamorta, K., Snowden, K., & Bauman, E. B. (2013). Use of virtual clinical
simulation to improve communication skills of baccalaureate nursing students: A
pilot study. Nurse Educ Today.

Communication is essential in online courses. Having the support of online communication tools is essential in nursing courses (Morely, 2014)
. Having guidelines for proper communication is also necessary. It is important for me to establish such guidelines at the start of a course. Reference Morley, D. A. (2014). Supporting student nurses in practice with additional online
communication tools. Nurse Educ Pract. 14(1):69-75.

I tend to use the technology communication tools for smaller sized courses since I often only have a few students at a time. Technology tools for effective communication are essential. A study has demonstrated that virtual clinical simulation can improve communication skills in nursing students (Foronda, Gattamorta, Snowden, & Bauman, 2013) Reference 
Foronda, C., Gattamorta, K., Snowden, K., & Bauman, E. B. (2013). Use of virtual clinical
simulation to improve communication skills of baccalaureate nursing students: A
pilot study. Nurse Educ Today.

I find that I need to modify delivery methods in online courses as appropriate --- this is necessary as an ongoing process for me. Studies support the need for modifying courses as needs to best meet the needs of students in nurisng programs (Morley, 2014) Reference Morley, D. A. (2014). Supporting student nurses in practice with additional online
communication tools. Nurse Educ Pract. 14(1):69-75.

Evaluation of students' progress and the course structure is essential. I am constantly feeling the essential importance of guiding students through their work by evaluating their progress. I really appreciated this Module that explained the facilitation factor nicely.