HPEC
Health Professions Educators Conference
On-Demand Through November 7, 2024
Plenary Sessions
Constructivism in the Classroom: Laying the Foundation for Active Learning
In health professions education, educators are challenged to create learning environments that support students’ understanding of concepts over passive memorization. Through rote memorization, students can recall information quickly, but are unable to make connections, or apply their knowledge to problem solving. Meaningful learning, however, results when a student fully understands all parts of a concept and how they fit together. Students who participate in meaningful learning are better able to make connections between new and prior knowledge, and apply their knowledge to problem solving. To promote meaningful learning, educators should rely on constructivist learning theory when designing learning experiences. According to this theory, new knowledge is actively constructed upon prior knowledge in the mind of the learner. Constructivist theory is the foundation for active learning, and educators can promote long-term, meaningful learning in the classroom by designing active learning experiences with constructivist principles in mind.
![Amber J. Heck, PhD](https://s30383.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Heck_Amber_web-1.jpg)
Amber J. Heck
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Amber J. Heck, PhD is an associate professor and biomedical science educator at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She has expertise in curriculum design and development for health professions education. She focuses her efforts on developing engaging and effective learning experiences, supported by neuroscience, cognitive theories, and evidence-based teaching practices. Over her career, she has collaborated with interprofessional teams to develop innovative, flipped classroom active learning curricula for health professions programs. In 2020, Heck was awarded the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching and Innovation.
Embracing the Rapid Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
The rapid technological advancements due to artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the landscape of healthcare and health educators. Selectively embracing and harnessing the power of AI to enhance education and patient care requires stakeholders to learn new skills, make strategic decisions, and remain outcome-centered during the whirlwind of technological advancements. This presentation delves into the transformative power of AI in healthcare education and practice. Through real-world examples, attendees will explore how AI can empower health providers and educators to adapt their strategies and empower current and future healthcare providers with the tools to achieve the expected outcomes. From personalized pathway recommendations to predictive analytics, this event will address some of the diverse applications of AI in healthcare and higher education. Attendees will identify strategies and decision-making tools to leverage these tools in their ever-evolving healthcare ecosystem.
![Kathy Burlingame](https://s30383.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Burlingame_Kathy_web.jpg)
Kathy Burlingame
Galen College of Nursing
Kathy Burlingame, EdD serves as the dean of the Online RN to BSN program at Galen College of Nursing and has over 30 years of experience in nursing education. She has led nursing programmatic, allied health, and regional accreditation self-studies, and with team members, hosted successful accreditation site visits. Burlingame earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Oral Roberts University, a master of science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, a bachelor of science degree from Moorhead State University, an associate degree in nursing from Northland Community College, and a Practical Nursing diploma from Detroit Lakes Area Vocational Technical Institute.