The new Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences boasts a state-of-the-art campus, with features such as technology-rich classrooms, a simulation lab outfitted as intensive care and acute hospital rooms, and multimedia teaching and learning laboratories.
Another way faculty are using technology is by bringing in experts from around the country to communicate directly with students in the classroom using video conferencing software called VisiMeet.
“It’s a great way for students to meet with clinicians from across the nation. It also gives students an opportunity to experience a facility or a clinical procedure when they might not otherwise have access,” said Lisa Burns, assistant professor of occupational therapy, adding that students have used VisiMeet to connect with experts inside a forensic psychiatric facility and a women’s shelter in New York City.
“[Wanting to respect patient privacy], we can’t know where she is, but VisiMeet lets us communicate with her without bringing risk to her clients,” Burns said, adding that the technology “opens up new avenues for each course” by bringing in experts who are not likely to travel to Fishersville. The simple connection can be made with a computer or mobile device.
Murphy Deming faculty and staff also use software called Panopto to capture lectures, allowing students to review information and discussion from class.