Functional Digital Literacy

For me and my interactions with my students I believe that digital literacy means that the technology does not interfere with the learning. I have long been involved in patient care simulations with my students with a variety of high fidelity mannequins and other technologies. It is imperative that the student is functional with the equipment so that it does not impede them from learning the far more important aspects of patient care.

I have witnessed many situations where the technology has interfered with the learning. It may have been the student or the faculty. Sometimes it is the lack of resources to ensure the technology is working as it should. Working in a profession that is focused on caring for people means that most often the technology is in a supportive role in regards to education but there are important technologies for patient care as well. For example, cardiac monitors are becoming increasingly complicated so having digital literacy to be able to utilise that technology for the betterment of the patient is imperative.

This is why I refer to functional digital literacy because you must be functional to make the best use of what the technology has to offer whether it is during your education or beyond.

Digital Literacy in the Paramedic Profession

Starting my full-time teaching around 15 years ago the college community was fighting against the digital era in many ways.  Many discussions during school meetings revolved around how we would be able to stop students from engaging in the digital world while in class.  Let's block them from accessing their phones, the internet etc. Interesting how times have changed.

My initial teaching in the program was in the lab so my exposure to the digital world was rather limited.  We began to explore the world of simulation which brought about a very different aspect to the digital platform.  I was amazed at what the newer simulators could do.  However, once the initial enthusiasm for the novelty of the new equipment wore off I began to focus on what was important to me which was how would it impact my learners in a positive way.

The foundation for my definition of digital literacy is how you are able to make use of what is available to you to impact your learning in a positive way.  I have been told for so long that the upcoming generation has lived with technology and that they are all literate.  That has not been my experience and I think that they use technology consistently but I would not consider them to be digitally literate.  Many do not know the depth of knowledge that can be gained through digital literacy. Or they are unsure how to curate the information they are reading in the digital world.

Digital literacy is being able to take advantage of what is available to you to support, supplement and enhance your learning experiences.  However, you must be able to recognise the limitations and to engage in the digital world with a discerning eye.

Misunderstood: Teaching for Learning

'Aid to capacity' is a challenging concept for paramedic students to grasp.  Once they come to grips with the idea that not everyone wants to go to the hospital with them you have to get to understand how to evaluate whether that person is making a sound decision.  They must evaluate the individual's aid to capacity which can be challenging for them to understand and execute well.

Having them approach the situation like an investigative reporter using the '5 Ws and How' to structure their assessment of the patient's state of mind and understanding of the situation.  This reporter analogy helps them to realise the level of detailed needed to ensure the patient is making an informed decision.