Innovative Teaching and Learning

Computer-Based Teaching

Since 1997, the School has been introducing the use of computer-based learning in the curriculum. Several skill-related computer-based teaching (CBT) packages have been designed and developed by the SHSS team. To date, more than 40 CBT packages have been launched. These CBT packages cover a range of skills including endotracheal tube intubation, intravenous cannulation and therapy, wound healing, basic cardiac life support, insertion of nasogastric tube and others.

Because of the innovative design and delivery of course materials in the CBT packages, our industry partners have purchased site licenses from NYP to access some of these CBT packages. These include the hospitals under the National Healthcare Group, and the Health Promotion Board.

The CBT packages provide an innovative way of learning theoretical knowledge and skills. They are unique because they allow for individualised learning for students with different proficiency levels.

Virtual Ward Program

SHSS's Virtual Ward (VW) is an innovative web-based courseware that is designed to simulate an authentic learning environment to facilitate the users' transfer of theoretical knowledge and skills to practise in the actual clinical setting.

Providing a virtual but authentic clinical setting, this courseware details and actual hospital ward set-up for the students to explore and be familiarised with the hospital ward environment. It is built from components that reflect the typical aspects of a ward e.g. layout of the nurses' station, patients' cubicles, a treatment room and a dirty utility room; presentation of patients' profile, patients' medical records, assessment forms, observation records and other miscellaneous reports. These components allow the scenarios within the context of application to patient care thereby allowing the students to apply what they have learnt in the classrooms to actual practice in a clinical setting in a non-threatening environment.

High Fidelity Simulation Learning

High fidelity simulation is an important methodology in nursing education. High fidelity simulators closely mimic physiological functions and facilitate students' learning of communication, clinical decision making, team interaction and mangement of complex conditions without posing risk to patients.

Since 2006, the School has adopted the use of three life-sized mannequins with computer-integrated physiological features in their training of critical nursing skills. These simulators allow the creation of different patient profiles and clinical scenarios for training. The scenarios are developed to enable students to integrate scientific knowledge, incorporate health assessment skills, and implement nursing care.

The simulators provide students an opportunity to witness the outcome and evaluate their actions and make appropriate changes if necessary because the entire scenario can be captured on video for review and critique.

With the use of simulation, students learn and practise critical and complex skills in a controlled and safe environment, they learn to "think on their feet, not in their seats."

Teaching Clinics

The School of Health and Social Sciences Teaching Clinics have been established since 2004 to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience enabling them to learn, practise and participate in a specialised field of training in an ideal teaching hospital setting. These Teaching Clinics adopt a practice and application-oriented training approach that combines the learning and working environment from which realistic and relevant learning experiences arise.

ProHealth Clinic @ SHSS

The ProHealth Clinic, launched in October 2007, provides opportunities for students from the Diploma in Nursing and Advanced Diploma in Nursing courses to work with real clients on health promotion, wright management issues, smoking cessation and well women's health needs. The clinic also aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and inculate proper nutrition and fitness maintenance methods amongst SHSS staff and students.

Managed by year 3 Diploma students and Advanced Diploma in Nursing students, the clinic conducts group counselling on weight management, smoking cessation, health screenings and basic physical assessments. The ProHealth Clinic facilitates students' practice-orientated learning and problem-solving skills in a realistic, integrated and non-threatening environment.

Teaching Dental Clinic

SHSS Dental Teaching Clinic opened its door to staff and students of NYP in October 2008, Services provided include dental examination, detal X-rays, scaling and polishing, dental consultation and oral health education, and referral for other dental treatment. In-clinic treatment will be carried out by third-year Dental Hygiene and Therapy students under the supervision of qualified staff, and a nominal fee will be charged at each consultation.

Designed to complement the clinical experience of the students of the Dental Hygiene and Therapy Diploma programme, this clinic provides an added experience of running a private dental practice together with a dentist. This will closely simulate what they are likely to be doing upon graduation when they work for a private dental practice.

School of Health & Social Sciences