Learning about Twitter and Tweeting

In the spirit of this e-learning module, I decided to start actively using my Twitter account. Am also co-inspired by the Tour De France, so as of 24hrs ago, I am now following the tweets of Lance Armstrong and Andy Schleck (who I think is going to win this year!). The power of this messaging facility is unbelievable - we saw a rider crash out quite badly on a section of cobblestones last night and the only place where we could get info on what had happened was from one of the riders who tweeted that he was out the race with a fractured shoulder (?collar bone).

I have never been particularly interested in either Twitter or Facebook (which I fondly refer to as stalkerbook), because I never really saw it as beneficial. After 24hrs of tweeting and following tweets, I have come to the preliminary conclusion that its power lies in a shared community. Perhaps it can foster community engagement? Perhaps this is how it can be incorporated into a learning programme.....Perhaps a side skill is learning to say what you want to say in 140 words or less - now that's what I would call 'succint'! A skill that many boardroom executives should master!

In the beginning...

In the beginning, there was a nurse who wanted to make the world a better place. She initially tried to do so herself, but found that going it alone was not necessarily easy nor smart. She became involved in various societies and committed herself to various projects in the hope that these projects would improve the care that critically ill patients receive.

Many of these projects have not been as successful as anticipated, and this nurse (who is of course me!) thinks that one of the largest contributing factors, is that many projects are entered into with haste and with this haste, we actually forego an in-depth needs analysis.

I am currently very involved in a national campaign to improve patient safety and drive the implementation of best practice. This campaign was launched in August 2009, and its initial focus has been on decreasing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We are focussing on 4 initial care bundles (a handful of evidence-based interventions) to reduce the incidence of HAIs. Check out the campaign at http://www.bestcarealways.org.za/

Part of implementing evidence-based practice for the prevention of HAIs involves the actual measurement of HAI rates. Infection prevention and control requires a passable knowledge of microbiology (at the minimum) - something which we have found is lacking. Some of the hospital groups have microbiology self-study modules, but these do not seem to be effective in the development of an adequate knowledge in the field.

I have committed myself to developing an internet based microbiology programme for all nurses involved in infection prevention and control (knowing that this e-learning module was on the horizon) and I am now stuck with that commitment!

I think that my biggest fear is that I have set a certain expectation that I will struggle to achieve. This fear can be simplified to: perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew!

I am fortunate in that I don't fear the technology - my husband is a computer scientist and I am quite sure this handy resource can help me out of any sticky computer situation! I do however want to do things myself - and I have a lot to learn.

I am looking forward to this module - possibly more than any of the previous modules. I think this is because this is the one module where I am 100% convinced that it is applicable to what I am involved in.

e-learning is not a quagmire - it's a community!

Our MPhil HSE class has just had the most exciting introduction to e-learning. My previous exposure to 'e-learning' was certainly not a thrilling experience and it has clouded my belief in its ability as a teaching and learning tool. I think i may just take on this little adventure.....