Passion Driven Project: Development of an innovative capstone experience to integrate biomedical knowledge and promote students’ wellness using design thinking principles.
General description of the project
This is a capstone project that utilized design thinking principles to create a prototype program addressing behavior change and wellness in biomedical courses for second-year students. Students choice topics they were passionate about and crafted proposals focused on wellness and health promotion for patients and themselves, using threshold biomedical science concepts. Project evaluation is done through a 360 degrees assessment, including structured group and individual evaluations, student satisfaction surveys, and narrative reflections.
The evaluation results showed scores above 95% for all evaluated criteria, with high satisfaction rates from students. Faculty members observed the acquisition of life-long learning skills, collaborative teamwork, and higher-order thinking assessment. Ten of the 17 innovative projects developed have been submitted to be included in the university wellness program. This approach can be applied to a wide range of health professions, enhancing life-long learning, teamwork, and higher-order skills.
Technologies
In the described Passion-Driven Project focusing on wellness, various technologies have been strategically integrated to enhance the learning experience, promote engagement, and facilitate the creation of innovative wellness projects. Here’s how different technologies have been utilized:
Learning Management System (LMS):
The LMS serves as the central platform for hosting project guidelines, resources, and collaborative spaces where students can share progress, ideas, and feedback.
Gamification:
Gamification elements have been incorporated to motivate students throughout the project. For instance, earning points or badges for achieving milestones or presenting creative wellness solutions.
Cloud Computing:
Cloud platforms can facilitate the storage and sharing of project-related files, ensuring seamless collaboration among team members. It also allows for easy access to resources from anywhere.
Video Conferencing and Webinars:
Virtual meetings through video conferencing tools have been scheduled for project updates, peer collaboration, and expert consultations. Webinars feature guest speakers discussing wellness topics.
Mobile Apps for Health Tracking:
Students can utilize health tracking apps to gather and analyze personal wellness data, supporting evidence-based approaches in their projects. Apps track physical activity, nutrition, sleep patterns, etc.
Music Generator and Digital Art Tools:
Integrating music generators and digital art tools add creative elements to wellness projects. For example, students had create relaxing soundtracks or design digital art promoting mental health.
Virtual Reality (VR):
VR has been employed to simulate wellness experiences, such as virtual mindfulness sessions, guided meditations, or virtual fitness environments, enhancing the experiential aspect of the projects.
AI for Personalized Wellness Plans:
AI algorithms have been proposed to analyze individual health data and provide personalized wellness recommendations, enriching the depth and effectiveness of the wellness projects.
By integrating these technologies, students can have a multifaceted and enriched learning experience, combining creativity, data analysis, collaboration, and real-world application. The use of technology in this context not only supports the development of innovative wellness solutions but also prepares students for a technologically advanced healthcare landscape. Additionally, the inclusion of various tools caters to different learning styles and encourages a holistic approach to wellness project creation.
Explain project results
The Passion-Driven Project, with a focus on wellness and implemented within a Hispanic institution, has yielded significant results and accomplishments that have positively impacted both the institution and students. Here’s how the project has contributed:
Enhanced Student Engagement:
The project, designed around students’ passions and interests, has significantly increased student engagement. Engaged students are more likely to actively participate in the learning process, leading to a deeper understanding of biomedical concepts related to wellness. This engagement contributes to a positive and vibrant learning environment.
Cultural Relevance and Sensitivity:
Students have the opportunity to address health and wellness issues that are particularly relevant to Hispanic communities. This not only fosters a sense of cultural competency but also contributes to the development of healthcare solutions that align with the needs of the population.
Innovative Wellness Programs:
Students have developed 17 innovative wellness projects aligned with the principles of lifestyle medicine.
These projects, which include initiatives related to physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and community health, serve as valuable contributions to the institution’s commitment to promoting health and well-being. The incorporation of lifestyle medicine aligns with holistic healthcare approaches.
360-Degree Assessment and Skill Development:
The implementation of a 360-degree assessment has provided comprehensive feedback on students’ projects. This assessment strategy not only evaluates the projects but also contributes to the development of transferable life-long learning skills, collaborative teamwork, and higher-order thinking. The emphasis on these skills aligns with the broader goals of healthcare education.
Integration into University Wellness Program:
Ten of of the 17 projects have been submitted for inclusion in the university wellness program.
Impact: The integration of student-led wellness projects into the university wellness program ensures that these initiatives have a lasting impact. It also showcases the institution’s commitment to recognizing and incorporating innovative solutions developed by its students.
Positive Student Satisfaction Rates:
Evaluation results show scores above 95% for all evaluated criteria, with high student satisfaction rates.
Positive feedback from students indicates that the project has met or exceeded their expectations. This satisfaction contributes to a positive institutional reputation, potentially attracting more students interested in this unique and impactful educational approach.
Cultivation of Empathy and Compassion:
Passion-driven learning has been shown to cultivate empathy and compassion in students.
This emotional intelligence is particularly valuable in healthcare professions. Students with enhanced empathy and compassion are better equipped to understand and address the diverse needs of patients, contributing to improved patient-centered care.
Preparation for the Hispanic Healthcare Landscape:
By addressing health issues with a Hispanic focus, students are better prepared to navigate and contribute to the healthcare landscape in Hispanic communities. This is crucial for promoting equity and culturally competent healthcare delivery.
In summary, the accomplishments of the Passion-Driven Project have not only enriched the learning experiences of students but have also positioned the institution as a leader in culturally relevant and innovative healthcare education. The emphasis on Hispanic-focused wellness projects contributes to the institution’s broader goals of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in healthcare education.
Why it should be considered best practice?
The Passion-Driven Project stands out as a best practice in education, particularly in the field of healthcare, for several compelling reasons:
Student-Centered Learning:
Key Feature: The project is centered around students’ passions and interests.
Rationale: Student engagement and motivation are significantly enhanced when learning is tied to personal interests. This approach ensures that students are actively involved in their education, leading to deeper understanding and retention of concepts.
Innovation in Pedagogy:
Key Feature: Integration of design thinking, threshold concepts, and wellness principles.
Rationale: The incorporation of innovative pedagogical approaches, such as design thinking and threshold concepts, fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. This multidimensional approach prepares students for the complexities of real-world healthcare scenarios.
Cultural Relevance:
Key Feature: Hispanic focus and cultural sensitivity.
Rationale: In an era of increasing diversity, culturally relevant education is crucial. This project’s emphasis on Hispanic-focused wellness projects ensures that students are attuned to the specific healthcare needs of diverse populations, promoting cultural competence in healthcare delivery.
Holistic Health Promotion:
Key Feature: Projects aligned with lifestyle medicine and holistic wellness.
Rationale: The incorporation of lifestyle medicine principles, addressing physical, mental, and emotional well-being, reflects a holistic approach to health promotion. This aligns with the broader shift in healthcare towards preventative and patient-centered care.
Assessment for Learning:
Key Feature: 360-degree assessment and ongoing feedback.
Rationale: The project goes beyond traditional assessments by incorporating a 360-degree evaluation, providing a comprehensive view of student performance. Ongoing feedback contributes to continuous improvement and skill development.
Real-World Application:
Key Feature: Students develop projects with real-world applications.
Rationale: Bridging the gap between theory and practice is essential. By creating projects that address actual health and wellness issues, students gain practical experience and contribute valuable solutions to healthcare challenges.
Integration into Institutional Programs:
Key Feature: Submission of projects to the university wellness program.
Rationale: Integrating student-led projects into institutional programs ensures a lasting impact. It demonstrates institutional support for student initiatives and promotes a culture of recognizing and implementing innovative solutions.
Promotion of Lifelong Learning Skills:
Key Feature: Emphasis on transferable life-long learning skills.
Rationale: Beyond specific content knowledge, the project focuses on cultivating skills that are transferable across diverse contexts. This prepares students not just for their immediate coursework but for a lifetime of learning and adaptation in their professional careers.
Positive Student Feedback:
Key Feature: High student satisfaction rates.
Rationale: Positive feedback indicates that the project is meeting students’ expectations and enhancing their learning experiences. This positive experience contributes to a supportive and conducive learning environment.
Potential for Replication:
Rationale: The project’s design and implementation can be adapted to various educational settings and disciplines. The emphasis on passion-driven learning, coupled with innovative pedagogical approaches, can be replicated to enhance student engagement and outcomes across diverse academic contexts.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities:
Key Feature: Preparation for the Hispanic healthcare landscape.
Rationale: By addressing health issues with a Hispanic focus, the project contributes to reducing healthcare disparities. This focus on equity and inclusivity is crucial in healthcare education and aligns with broader societal goals.
In conclusion, the Passion-Driven Project should be considered a best practice and replicated due to its student-centric, innovative, culturally sensitive, and holistic approach to healthcare education. Its success is evident in positive student outcomes, engagement, and the potential for broader positive impacts on healthcare practices and disparities. Replicating this project could contribute to the evolution of effective and inclusive educational practices across various disciplines.
Highlights of your proposed presentation
Presentation Highlights:
Introduction:
Engaging Opener: Begin with a compelling anecdote or statistic about the challenges in healthcare education.
Project Overview: Provide a brief overview of the Passion-Driven Project and its key components.
Project Design and Methodology:
Innovative Pedagogy: Emphasize the integration of design thinking, threshold concepts, and wellness principles.
Student-Centered Learning: Highlight the significance of allowing students to pursue their passions in a structured educational setting.
Technological Integration:
Digital Tools: Showcase the use of technology, such as wellness tracking apps, music generators, and virtual learning environments, in project development.
Benefits of Technology: Discuss how technology enhances the learning experience and contributes to the creation of innovative wellness projects.
Cultural Relevance and Diversity:
Hispanic Focus: Stress the importance of addressing healthcare needs with a Hispanic focus.
Cultural Competence: Explain how this focus enhances cultural competence among students.
Assessment and Feedback:
360-Degree Assessment: Explain the comprehensive evaluation approach used, including structured group and individual evaluations, surveys, and reflections.
Ongoing Feedback: Emphasize the value of continuous feedback in promoting student development.
Real-World Application:
Projects in Action: Share examples of projects developed by students and their real-world applications.
Impact on the Institution: Discuss how the projects have contributed to the institution’s wellness program.
Lifelong Learning Skills:
Transferable Skills: Highlight the emphasis on developing transferable life-long learning skills.
Alignment with Industry Needs: Explain how these skills align with the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.
Positive Outcomes:
Student Satisfaction: Showcase high satisfaction rates among students.
Faculty Observations: Share insights from faculty regarding the acquisition of skills and higher-order thinking.
Challenges and Solutions:
Addressing Barriers: Discuss any challenges faced during project implementation.
Innovative Solutions: Highlight creative solutions employed to overcome challenges.
Replicability:
Adaptability: Emphasize the project’s potential for adaptation to different educational contexts.
Broader Applicability: Discuss how the model could be applied beyond chiropractic programs.
Future Directions:
Sustainability: Address plans for sustaining the project’s success.
Expansion: Discuss possibilities for expanding the project to other disciplines or institutions.
Lessons Learned:
Importance of Passion:
Lesson: Passion-driven learning significantly enhances student engagement and motivation.
Implication: Incorporating personal interests into education positively impacts the learning experience.
Innovation in Pedagogy:
Lesson: Integrating innovative pedagogical approaches fosters critical thinking and problem-solving.
Implication: Education should evolve to incorporate methodologies that mirror real-world problem-solving.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Lesson: Cultural relevance is crucial in healthcare education.
Implication: Understanding diverse healthcare needs is fundamental for future healthcare professionals.
Holistic Wellness:
Lesson: A holistic approach to wellness aligns with current trends in healthcare.
Implication: Preparing students to address physical, mental, and emotional well-being contributes to comprehensive patient care.
Assessment for Growth:
Lesson: Ongoing assessment and feedback are essential for student development.
Implication: Continuous improvement should be a core aspect of educational programs.
Technological Integration:
Lesson: Technology enhances creativity and innovation in project development.
Implication: Embrace and explore the potential of technology in education for improved outcomes.
Positive Outcomes Drive Success:
Lesson: Positive student outcomes contribute to project success.
Implication: Creating an environment that fosters success enhances the overall effectiveness of educational initiatives.
Addressing Challenges Creatively:
Lesson: Challenges are inevitable; creative solutions are key.
Implication: The ability to adapt and find innovative solutions is critical in educational program development.
Inclusive and Sustainable Practices:
Lesson: Inclusive practices contribute to sustainability.
Implication: Design programs with inclusivity in mind to ensure long-term success.
Preparation for Future Healthcare Landscape:
Lesson: Addressing healthcare disparities is a responsibility.
Implication: Educational programs should actively prepare students for diverse healthcare landscapes.
Leveraging Student Feedback:
Lesson: Student feedback is a valuable resource for improvement.
Implication: Regularly seek and incorporate student perspectives to enhance educational practices.
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate submitted proposals based on the following criteria. Each area will be rated on a scale from 1 to 7 (1= non-satisfactory; 7 =outstanding), for a maximum of 63 points.