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Blended Learning: Strengths, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in an Interprofessional Training Program

  • Graduate Education
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Abstract

This field report outlines the goals of providing a blended learning model for an interdisciplinary training program for healthcare professionals who care for children with disabilities. The curriculum blended traditional face-to-face or on-site learning with integrated online interactive instruction. Credit earning and audited graduate level online coursework, community engagement experiences, and on-site training with maternal and child health community engagement opportunities were blended into a cohesive program. The training approach emphasized adult learning principles in different environmental contexts integrating multiple components of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program. This paper describes the key principles adopted for this blended approach and the accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned. The discussion offers examples from training content, material gathered through yearly program evaluation, as well as university course evaluations. The lessons learned consider the process and the implications for the role of blended learning in this type of training program with suggestions for future development and adoption by other programs.

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Acknowledgments

The preparation of this article was funded in part by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Leadership Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program (5-T73-06-001) at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC. The authors would like to acknowledge Mr. Joseph Knight, LEND-CN Project Manager for his editorial assistance in preparation of this manuscript as well as his diligent work in organizing and compiling the end of year evaluation conducted by the Center for the Study of Learning at George Washington University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Children’s National Medical Center, Children’s Research Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    G. R. Lotrecchiano

  2. Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    G. R. Lotrecchiano, P. L. McDonald & L. Lyons

  3. Center for Child and Human Development, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    T. Long

  4. National Catholic School of Social Service, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA

    M. Zajicek-Farber

Authors
  1. G. R. Lotrecchiano
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  2. P. L. McDonald
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  3. L. Lyons
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  4. T. Long
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  5. M. Zajicek-Farber
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. R. Lotrecchiano.

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Lotrecchiano, G.R., McDonald, P.L., Lyons, L. et al. Blended Learning: Strengths, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in an Interprofessional Training Program. Matern Child Health J 17, 1725–1734 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1175-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1175-8

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