Virtual Labs and Practicals (Video and GoReact)
Our collective goal during this period is to ensure that we maintain as much continuity for students as possible while they are learning fully online. This means that labs should continue as at-home, virtual sessions and exercises where possible.
Labs that require specialized campus equipment or involve activities that must be supervised for safety reasons will be “made up” upon return to campus, but all other lab engagement should continue using virtual approaches.
For labs that require students to familiarize themselves through observation with techniques, procedures, or skills, consider utilizing a combination of synchronous and asynchronous video demonstration with at-home exercises. The resources on this page provide guidelines, tools, and advice for faculty teams in designing these at home lab experiences in meaningful ways.
Video Demonstrations
Asynchronous Video
Video demonstrations can be pre-recorded on campus by scheduling a time with the Digital Media Team – USAHS Digital Media Scheduling Form. This is a great option because audio and visual elements can be recorded with higher quality and greater detail than a live stream session, and then students can review the material as often as needed.
F2F simulation scenarios and skills practice sessions can be recorded in the CICP by submitting a scheduling request to the campus Clinical Simulation Specialist. Recorded simulation media can be accessed using the Simulation-IQ video library (See tutorial video: Accessing the SimulationIQ Library). All signature simulations have an attached video file in Simulation IQ. Additionally, telehealth scenarios can be supported using Zoom and Simulation IQ. Debriefing can occur synchronously and can be virtually supported using Zoom, Ring Central, or Collaborate.
Synchronous Video / Live Streaming
Faculty may also consider holding synchronous (live streaming) lab sessions, at the pre-scheduled time. In this case, faculty can stream from the campus lab, or other appropriate campus setting. However, while many states have stay-at-home orders in effect and social distancing guidelines are critical during this time, we encourage limiting campus sessions to essential visits such as where specific equipment is required for your video. All synchronous sessions should be recorded and made available to students in the event that they are not able to attend or have connectivity issues. With synchronous lab instruction, RingCentral or Blackboard Collaborate are solid options. Be sure to consider what you are “demonstrating” or teaching students, and how this will convey visually. Camera placement and clear audio will be essential considerations. Visit our Live Streaming Instructions for resources, support, and tools for live streaming from home.
Using Existing Video
Before you record a video demonstration either on campus or at home, you may want to check our existing video repository to see if there is existing content you can use. Email onlineedsupport@usa.edu for access to a video repository, organized by course. If you find a video you want to use, we can provide you the embed code to use in your course.
Some examples of available video include:
At Home Lab Exercises
Virtual Lab Template
Faculty can work with their course team to develop and share a virtual lab template, which will provide lab plans for students to work on skills or concepts at home. Within the template, faculty can identify virtual strategies to meet lab objectives and engage students through home-based hands-on activities. Below is a virtual lab template and example, in .doc format so you can download and edit:
Using “Mock Patients” in At Home Lab Settings
If you will ask students to use a “standardized patient” (such as a friend or family member that they will practice on and record), be sure to ask them to fill out the Lab Volunteer Form and provide it to you for documentation.
Lab Materials
The Teaching, Learning and Innovation team is partnering with academic leaders to determine courses and lab activities where student learning outcomes would be most positively impacted by providing certain supplies to students. In order to prioritize effectively, lab kits must be approved by program leadership. Kits may be provided on a limited basis to students for selected labs if the items are not readily available at home or for low cost purchase and are essential to meeting the lab learning objectives. The goal is to provide a plan for essential items that allow students to engage in activities or assignments at home.
Faculty who would like to consider this approach should work with their course teams to propose a lab materials supply plan as follows (no later than 4/15):
- For Physical Therapy: submit proposal to Jackie Crossen-Sills (jcrossensills@usa.edu) and Elaine Lonnemann (elonnemann@usa.edu).
- For Occupational Therapy: submit proposal to Mary Zadnik (mzadnik@usa.edu) and Erin Schwier (eschwier@usa.edu).
The proposal should include a list of essential items and a plan for how the supplies will be used within the home-based lab activity, and preferably across multiple activities to maximize value. Program leaders will work with the Teaching, Learning, and Innovation team to determine the feasibility of the proposals, including factors such as cost, procurement of items, distribution logistics, and health and safety considerations. The Teaching, Learning and Innovation team will support approved supply lists in collaboration with academic departments. Our goal is to provide a plan for students to procure supplies as part of their tuition or at minimal cost.
In the Keep Learning Guide, we have provided the Preparing for Virtual Labs .
Virtual Skills Assessment
Synchronous Lab Assessment and Practical Sessions
In collaboration with the course teams, faculty may plan for students to come together synchronously to practice lab techniques or therapeutic approaches, as well as observe, discuss, and debrief. The best tools to accomplish this are Blackboard Collaborate or RingCentral. Use Breakout Groups in either platform to create opportunities for deeper learning engagement. and interaction. Visit our Teaching Toolboxarchived for support resources on Collaborate and RingCentral, as well as our , which also has recordings for all past live help sessions. You can also email onlineedsupport@usa.edu or facultydevelopment@usa.edu for support using these tools.
Asynchronous Lab Assessment and Practical Sessions
This may be accomplished asynchronously by having students upload videos of them practicing techniques using Blackboard tools such as Kaltura and Go React. Faculty may also facilitate open lab synchronously using a technology such as Ring Central or Blackboard Collaborate. If a student is responsible for completing a project during lab, such as an orthosis or case study, faculty can use course rubrics in tandem with synchronous or asynchronous technologies to evaluate student competencies. Competency assessment may be accomplished asynchronously by having students upload videos of them demonstrating techniques or showcasing a lab project/assignment using Blackboard tools such as Kaltura and Go React. Faculty may also use synchronous assessment strategies using a technology such as Ring Central or Blackboard Collaborate.
Virtual Practical Template
Faculty can work with their course team to develop and share a virtual practical template, which will provide practical plans for students and other members of the course team. Within the template, faculty can identify a plan to meet practical objectives and measure students competencies using virtual strategies and technologies. Below is a virtual lab template and examples, in .doc format so you can download and edit:
GoReact - New Tool for USAHS Faculty and Students
In order to support virtual lab session feedback, as well as virtual lab practicals, we have installed Go React. GoReact allows you to capture student procedures on video for feedback, grading, and critique. You can provide students with time-stamped comments at different parts of their video, as well as create assignments for peer and open feedback.
The tool is integrated within Blackboard, and can be accessed as an option from the “Build Content” area in courses. Watch this Go React tutorial to learn how to use this tool in your Blackboard course.
We will begin training sessions on how to use this tool during early April. There are also a variety of tutorials and support resources on the GoReact Support site:
Because this is a new tool, before you introduce it to students, we recommend that you attend training, review the available tutorials and support resources, and experiment with it to first decide whether this tool will benefit your course.
If you have questions or would like to discuss how this tool could be used in your course, please reach out to onlineedsupport@usa.edu or facultydevelopment@usa.edu.
Keep Teaching Resources
©2019 University of St. Augustine for the Health Sciences