Aloha! Welcome to our home page describing the kinds of instructional technologies we use here at the University of Hawaii, Division of Medical Technology.

  1. MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS
  2. MULTIMEDIA LEARNING TOOLS
  3. COMMUNICATION TOOLS
  4. DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGY
  5. CONTACT US
Video microscopy allows everyone in the class to see the image. We could also capture the image on video tape or transfer it to a video disc.

MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS

Medical technology, also known as clinical laboratory science, is a health care profession in which technologists perform laboratory procedures to help diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases, and to promote health.

Task of a clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) includes microscopy, venipuncture, manipulation of various labware, operation of automated instruments, and making critical decisions which affect patients' well-being. Laboratory disciplines include hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology, and others. A variety of modern instructional technologies are used in our curriculum to help students attain the required competency levels.

A CLS must not only know the tools of the field but also be able to perform the tasks skillfully with professionalism. Multimedia learning tools are versatile and attractive, and presentations can be stimulating and enjoyable. With video and computer simulations, hazardous materials or potentially dangerous scenarios can be presented safely.

MULTIMEDIA LEARNING TOOLS

Med Tech Tutor: Short tutorial programs are being written using an authoring system, Authorware Professional. In medical technology education, graphics and video images are essential. Graphics capability of the Authorware was also used to generate simulated laboratory instruments. We use case based approaches to engage students in critical thinking, and interaction options to promote active learning.

In this series, we have lessons on general laboratory operations (e.g., quality control, spectrophotometry), urinalysis, hematology and coagulation. More are being planned!

Here is a link to the Med Tech Tutors on the Web. Still under construction, and requires Netscape 2.0 or 2.1 (sorry, PC users).

Multimedia Demonstrations: Programs were written using the IBM LinkWay. LinkWay is an authoring system which also controls external devices like the optical disk player or a VCR. We use a Panasonic optical disc player. One of the most dramatic video we have is that of Trypanosome (parasite that causes sleeping sickness) swimming in the blood!

COMMUNICATION TOOLS

E-mail: No one should be "out-of-touch" with the electronic mail. Being in communication is especially important for those in academic or healthcare setting. Faculty, staff and students at the University of Hawaii have access to the UNIX which supports a wide range of applications including e-mail and browsing through the World Wide Web.

DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGY

Teleconference: To facilitate communication among faculty and students at various clinical sites throughout the State, we use audio teleconference to conduct meetings and some classes. The Pan-Pacific Education and Communication Experiment by Satellite project (PEACESAT) could link multiple participants in a conference.

Interactive Television System: The University has studios located on campuses on each of the islands. They are linked by cables and microwave transmissions which allow bi-directional audio-video conferences. This is important for us because some of our students attend training rotations at hospitals on neighbor islands, and we want to keep in touch with them.

Slow-scan video teleconference: Once a year, we link with a high school chemistry class in their electronic field trip session. The hardware is a pair of video phones which also transmits snapshots on demand. It is a great, inexpensive, public relations tool.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Jon Nakasone at the UHM Information Technology Services provided the state of the art communication and technology support. Much of what we have accomplished are not possible without his help.

CONTACT US

Please contact us so that we could share ideas. We are at:

The University of Hawaii at Manoa
John A. Burns School of Medicine
Division of Medical Technology
1960 East West Road, Biomed C-206
Honolulu, HI 96822

(808) 956-8557

Dick Y. Teshima, M.P.H., MT(ASCP)
Associate Professor
dick@Hawaii.edu

July 95. This file is updated periodically. Last update: July 30, 2004, by DYT.