The Teaching Assistant Graduate Student Advancement (TAGSA) Executive Committee is pleased to announce the 2016 recipient of the TAGSA Award for Best Conference Session Led by a Graduate Student, William Albabish, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. At the recent STLHE conference in London, William was the lead presenter for the session titled, “Use of cadaveric, dissection-based specimens and digital based audio-visual modules to supplement ‘traditionally’ taught patient-care skills for Emergency Healthcare Providers” (abstract below). One adjudicator who attended William’s session stated the following: “The contribution to both knowledge base and pedagogical framework was insightful, informative, and well integrated” and this session “offers an original and innovative approach to the teaching of anatomy. Student feedback confirms the value of the new approach.”

The award recipient was announced at the closing of the STLHE conference. The award which is sponsored by the STLHE and the conference organizers at Western University and Fanshawe College, includes a certificate, reimbursement of all conference registration fees, acknowledgement on the STLHE website and in the STLHE newsletter, a one-year complimentary membership to TAGSA, and a one year complimentary membership to STLHE to recognize the contribution William has made to teaching and learning in post-secondary education. Congratulations William!

Thank you to STLHE and this year’s conference organizers, Western University and Fanshawe College, for their generous support of TAGSA and this award!

Presentation Abstract:

Educational literature suggests that a multimodal learning approach utilizing learner-centered techniques promotes a deep learning experience. Moreover, literature suggests that an enhanced educational experience is associated with the use of audiovisual materials in a laboratory-based environment.

In this interactive hands-on workshop, participants will experience a new hybrid learning environment in health science education; a result of a collaboration between The University of Guelph (Human Anatomy Program) and Fanshawe College (Schools of Health Science and Public Safety). Participants will utilize cadaveric-based videos and/or digital images to learn the anatomy of the upper airway and its relevance to basic and advanced airway maneuvers. Participants will then apply their newly gained knowledge by performing the demonstrated techniques on cadaveric prosections and medium/high-fidelity simulation mannequins in the context of specific emergency scenarios.