Transforming public health education by fostering creative problem-solving

Preparing students to tackle real-world challenges requires innovative teaching methods. Dr. Florida Uzoaru, Assistant Professor of Health Systems Management at Southeastern Louisiana University, discovered how Lucidspark can enhance her public health courses. By leveraging its collaborative features within Canvas, she empowered students to engage in creative problem-solving and critical analysis, all while streamlining her grading process.

The challenge: Integrating collaborative learning within Canvas

Dr. Uzoaru faced the common challenge of integrating external whiteboarding tools with her Canvas LMS. The disjointed workflow hindered efficient grading and student collaboration. Seeking a more seamless solution, she explored Lucidspark's integration with Canvas, finding a powerful tool for interactive learning.

The solution: Lucidspark for collaborative problem-solving

Dr. Uzoaru designed a project where students, divided into groups, tackled current public health challenges. Using Lucidspark, she created collaborative boards with customized templates for each group. These templates guided students in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of assigned health conditions on specific populations. Embedding these boards directly into Canvas facilitated real-time collaboration and streamlined assignment submission.

Key pedagogical strategies:

• Real-world problem-solving: Students were tasked with addressing actual public health issues, enhancing their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
• Collaborative learning: Lucidspark’s breakout boards allowed for effective group collaboration, fostering teamwork and shared learning experiences.
• Critical analysis and peer review: Students analyzed and voted on each other's strategies, encouraging critical thinking and constructive feedback.
• Visual representation: Using Lucidspark's visual tools, students effectively communicated complex ideas and strategies, improving comprehension and presentation skills.

Implementation process:

1. Template creation: Dr. Uzoaru designed a template within Lucidspark to guide student brainstorming and strategy development.
2. Canvas integration: She embedded the Lucidspark boards into Canvas, providing students with easy access and a centralized workspace.
3. Group collaboration: Students worked in their assigned breakout boards to develop and refine their strategies.
4. Peer evaluation: Students engaged in peer review, analyzing and voting on the most impactful strategies.
5. Canvas submission: Students submitted screenshots of their Lucidspark work for grading within Canvas's Speedgrader.

Results and benefits:

• Enhanced engagement: Students actively participated in problem-solving and peer evaluation, increasing their engagement and understanding.
• Seamless integration: Lucidspark's integration with Canvas streamlined the workflow for both students and the instructor.
• Development of critical skills: Students developed critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, essential for their future careers.
• Efficient Grading: Canvas's Speedgrader, combined with Lucidspark screenshots, simplified the grading process.

Dr. Uzoaru's experience demonstrates the transformative potential of Lucidspark in higher education. By fostering collaborative problem-solving and integrating seamlessly with Canvas, Lucidspark empowers professors to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This approach not only enhances student learning but also prepares them to address the complex challenges of the real world.

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