A Blended Health Science Education Graduate Program - Integrating Technology Assignments into Coursework

Abstract

The Master of Education in Health Sciences Education (MEdHSE) program at the University of Alberta, Canada was created to address the need and desire of health professionals and clinical faculty to enhance their teaching, leadership, and educational research skills. A blended learning format was adopted to meet the needs of the learners, all full-time clinical/community educators. A technology integration strategy was developed that included a course focused on technology integration across the curriculum and technologybased assignments for each course. Support for instructors was 'just-in-time' with an educational technology consultant providing individual assistance for each instructor. The educational technologist and graduate students in an educational technology program supported students, with the majority of the assistance occurring early in the program. Students expressed mixed reviews with the technology-based assignments, but overall enjoy the blended learning experience.