Learning to Learn: Professional Development Strategies for LPNs
Nurses must always be learning to maintain and enhance their professional nursing competence. With the constant changes and advancements in technology and medical knowledge, a nurse's competencies and skills can become outdated. As a result, their nursing practice becomes less effective – putting safe and ethical client health care at risk.
This eCourse is designed to assist and motivate Alberta Licensed Practical Nurses to embrace ongoing continuing education and professional development. The course consists of seven modules including supplementary resources and a final exam. The first group of topics includes the importance of continuous professional learning; the College's Continuing Competence Program; how to assess your learning needs; and how to develop, implement and record your learning plan. The second set of topics is about digital learning – what it is; its many different aspects; how to use digital learning for professional development; and the risks and dangers associated with using digital technologies. The third group of topics covers such things as how to improve your memory; how to study more effectively and efficiently; how to organize your learning activities; and how to better manage your time.
To access a learning activity, simply click/tap on the appropriate Link below. After you have completed an activity, return to this home page to proceed to the next activity. Although it is recommended that you complete the modules in order, you are free to create and follow your own learning paths.
1.1 Video presentation – A narrated multi-media overview of the course purpose, content and format, and suggestions as to how to get the most from this course (9 slides).
1.2 Video player tutorial – A one-minute tour of how to navigate and use the video player for presentations.
1.3 Podcast – To listen to this audio-only version, click on the link; or you can right-click to save a copy of this podcast to your computer or mobile device to list to it off-line at your convenience (11 minutes).
1.4 Interactive podcast app – Randomly accessible and searchable presentation slides and audio narration. This app is ideal for downloading to your mobile device for just-in-time learning and information look-ups.
1.5 Handout notes ( PDF | eBook ) – Print and digital interactive versions of the presentation slides and narration that can be viewed online and/or downloaded for off-line use.
2.1 Video presentation – A narrated multi-media presentation on the importance of lifelong professional development and continuing competence, a four-step continuing competence program, and competency development strategies (21 slides).
2.2 Podcast – To listen to this audio-only version, click on the link; or you can right-click to save a copy of this podcast to your computer or mobile device to list to it off-line at your convenience (14 minutes).
2.3 Interactive podcast app – Randomly accessible and searchable presentation slides and audio narration. This app is ideal for downloading to your mobile device for just-in-time learning and information look-ups.
2.4 Handout notes ( PDF | eBook ) – Print and digital interactive versions of the presentation slides and narration that can be viewed online and/or downloaded for off-line use.
2.5 Knowledge checkup – An interactive exercise consisting of flash-card type questions and answers to assess how well you learned the content in this module (12 randomly presented questions).
2.6 Module 2 quiz – A short quiz on the contents of this module (20 random questions from 24).
3.1 Video presentation – A narrated multi-media presentation on digital literacy and learning, benefits and challenges of digital learning, finding online resources, descriptions of the most common digital learning technologies, and how to get the most out of them (22 slides).
3.2 Podcast – To listen to this audio-only version, click on the link; or you can right-click to save a copy of this podcast to your computer or mobile device to list to it off-line at your convenience (22 minutes).
3.3 Interactive podcast app – Randomly accessible and searchable presentation slides and audio narration. This app is ideal for downloading to your mobile device for just-in-time learning and information look-ups.
3.4 Handout notes ( PDF | eBook ) – Print and digital interactive versions of the presentation slides and narration that can be viewed online and/or downloaded for off-line use.
3.5 Knowledge checkup – An interactive exercise consisting of flash-card type questions and answers to assess how well you learned the contents in this module (12 questions).
3.6 Test your digital literacy – Go to this website to assess your basic skills needed to use a computer and the Internet in education, daily life and employment. You can self-test your digital skills in several different areas such as basic computer skills, Internet basics, using e-mail and social media.
3.7 Module 3 quiz – A short quiz on the contents of this module (20 random questions from 45).
4.1 Video presentation – A narrated multi-media presentation with tips for successful learning / professional development, and suggestions for improving your study habits (17 slides).
4.2 Podcast – To listen to this audio-only version, click on the link; or you can right-click to save a copy of this podcast to your computer or mobile device to list to it off-line at your convenience (15 minutes).
4.3 Interactive podcast app – Randomly accessible and searchable presentation slides and audio narration. This app is ideal for downloading to your mobile device for just-in-time learning and information look-ups.
4.4 Handout notes ( PDF | eBook ) – Print and digital interactive versions of the presentation slides and narration that can be viewed online and/or downloaded for off-line use.
4.5 Module 4 quiz – An online, interactive quiz on the content covered in this module (21 questions).
5.1 Video presentation – A narrated multi-media presentation on the risks and dangers associated with digital learning technologies such as identity theft, infection prevention and control, personal safety, privacy and confidentiality, unethical conduct, professional boundaries and malware (12 slides).
5.2 Podcast – To listen to this audio-only verson, click on the link; or you can right-click to save a copy of this podcast to your computer or mobile device to list to it off-line at your convenience (9 minutes).
5.3 Interactive podcast app – Randomly accessible and searchable presentation slides and audio narration. This app is ideal for downloading to your mobile device for just-in-time learning and information look-ups.
5.4 Handout notes ( PDF | eBook ) – Print and digital interactive versions of the presentation slides and narration that can be viewed online and/or downloaded for off-line use.
5.5 Knowledge checkup – An interactive exercise consisting of flash-card type questions and answers to assess how well you learned the content in this module (8 slides).
5.6 Module 5 quiz – An online, interactive quiz on the content covered in this module (20 random questions from 30).
6.1 My Learning Styles – We learn by seeing, hearing and doing. Most of us have a preferred mode of learning. Take this anonymous self-scoring test to identify your preferred learning style(s), what it means, and what you can do to maximize learning effectiveness using your preferred learning style(s).
6.2 My Time Management – Time is required for professional learning. Take this anonymous self-scoring test to identify your time management (TM) strengths and weaknesses on 4 dimensions (organization, discipline, communication and saying "No"). Tips are provided on how to improve your TM skills to make more time for professional development.
6.3 Pomodoro Technique – A highly effective method of studying in 25 minute segments followed by 5 minute breaks (YouTube video – 5.48 minutes).
6.4 How to Learn Anything Faster – Five tips for increasing your learning speed by Practical Psychology (YouTube video – 6:17 minutes).
6.5 The Most Powerful Way to Remember What You Study– This video by Thomas Frank explains research on how the brain works and the implications for more effective learning and study habits (YouTube video – 7:36 minutes).
6.6 Feynman Technique – This video by Med School Insiders demonstrates how to use the Feynman technique to master difficult and complex concepts (YouTube – 5:45 minutes).
6.7 Super Human Productivity and Efficiency – Another video by Med School Insiders providing useful strategies on how to get organized and improve your personal and professional productivity (YouTube video – 9:03 minutes).
6.8 Online Classes: Tips for Success – This video by Penguin Prof examines research about what works, and what doesn't, and the advantages and challenges of online courses. Some excellent recommendations and tips are provided on getting the most from online courses for your professional development (YouTube video – 10:48 minutes).
6.9 On Guard Online – This is a Federal Trade Commission (USA) website that provides security tips, information and videos about how to stay save and secure when using online / Internet resources.
6.10 Goodwill Community Foundation – Provides free tutorials on computers, technology and much more.
6.11 Learning in a Digital World (PDF | eBook) – This is the research report that was used for the slides in Module 3: Digital Learning. This fully annotated report includes topics such as: benefits and challenges of digital learning; finding, accessing and using digital learning resources; technologies for communication and interactions; tools to assist and manage learning; and associated risks and dangers.
7.1 Final Exam – A final exam on the contents of this course, including the videos (60 random questions from 153 items). A printable CLPNA Certificate of Completion is available upon passing this exam with a score of 80% or better. If you are an Alberta LPN, please enter your Registration Number when requested. Everyone else, leave in the default number. If you want a copy of the Final Exam Results e-mailed to yourself (or anyone else), enter the appropriate e-mail address. (Results are ONLY e-mailed if you have passed the exam).
7.2 Nootropic Watchdog: 15 Study Hacks to Improve your Memory– This article was the inspiration and source for the content presented in Module 4. Permission was obtained to use the information from this article in our course.
Technology Notes
The online quizzes can be completed on regular browsers, tablets and smart phones. For iPhones and iPads, download and install the FREE iSpring viewer from the iTunes Store. For Android devices, iSpring Play is available here. With the iSpring player, the quizzes can be downloaded and saved on your mobile device for off-line practice.
The videos and checkup activities can be completed on regular browsers, iPads/iPhones and Android tablets. To view and download the PDF/PRINT documents requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. The pdf documents advanced features such as bookmarks and hot links to other documents. Use these to navigate within and across slides and documents to find the relevant information.
Photo credit: iStock.com/LaurenceDulton