May 18, 2023: Meet 3 more presenters you won’t want to miss at the conference July 17-20

Happy Thursday, USDLA friends! We are just two months from the start of the USDLA National Conference in July, and today we want to share three more presentations you won’t want to miss!

If you still need to book your spot at the 2023 USDLA National Conference in Orlando, FL, on July 17-20: Click here to join us!

We’ll talk again on Tuesday! — Valary Oleinik, chair, USDLA National Conference 2023

Novel distance learning partnerships to reduce health disparities and promote early/post-secondary health care careers

Presenters: Erica Bell, Director of Regional Centers and Online Programs, University of Tennessee at Martin and Jacen Moore, Assistant Professor of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Session: Health care and education in rural communities were social determinants significantly impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. These communities continue to experience substantial challenges regarding healthcare access and inadequate college and career preparation for secondary students.

To address these challenges, the University of Tennessee campuses at Martin (UTM) and the Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis developed a partnership to offer a diverse array of health education programming designed to reduce health disparities and increase academic learning experiences throughout rural West Tennessee using distance learning (DL) technology. Supported by grant funding from the Rural Utilities Service – Distance Learning Technology (RUS-DLT) program, five rural high schools, four rural off-campus sites, UTM, and UTHSC received new DL technology and telehealth carts to provide these opportunities.

The collaboration is creating and providing content with ancillary health benefits that address issues such as substance abuse and telemedicine awareness. Coupled with an NIH R25 Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), new DL-based dual enrollment courses, STEM-based laboratory experiences, data and laboratory science training for high school students, health informatics and medical laboratory science career information and guidance, summer enrichment activities, and professional development opportunities for regional K-12 educators and administrators are in process.

Engage Learners Everywhere with Nearpod

Presenter: Kevin Pridemore, Nearpod Higher-Education Partnerships

Session: Join Kevin for a fun and interactive experience. We will take a field trip, get instant feedback from our group, and even race for the fastest correct answers, all within the simple Nearpod format.” Audience members can all participate by bringing an internet-capable device (like a phone). We will use these devices to gather real-time data through formative assessments in various assessment types. Attendees will leave able to create a custom presentation.

Esports: The New Frontier of Engagement and Competition

Presenter: David Palmer, Esports head coach/teacher, Twin Falls School District

Session: Designed to illuminate the benefits of an esports program in a school setting, this session will be beneficial whether your organization is brick-and-mortar, hybrid, or virtual. Esports provides a platform for student engagement, SEL fundamentals, leadership growth, and relationship development. As distance learning opportunities continue to open the world to students, esports gains traction in schools nationwide. Discover how esports can help give marginalized student groups a place to belong. Find ways to incorporate elements of the esports ecosystem into any school setting to help reach students in a new and novel way.