Middle Georgia Technical College

MGTC Dental Hygiene Instructors Win Innovation in Education Award

Warner Robins - Instructors in the Dental Hygiene (DHY) program at Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins were recently selected as the recipients of the inaugural Innovation in Education Award. This award is presented by MGTC to an instructor or program to recognize innovation in the teaching and learning processes at Middle Georgia Technical College. This award will be given twice a year during Fall and Spring quarters.

Dr. Barbara Jansen, DHY program chair, and instructors Wendy Bloodworth, Debbie Harkins, and Stephanie Krajewski, were honored with the award for using a home video camera to film instructors demonstrating techniques and procedures related to specific course objectives. The video clips were then edited and made available to students on StudentWeb, the clinic computers and in the classroom. Students were assigned to view the video clips on StudentWeb prior to the day the procedure was taught in lecture so that they would be familiar with the procedures.

In recognition of their Innovation in Education, the Dental Hygiene department received a $100 award sponsored by the Middle Georgia Technical College Foundation. Entries were judged by a committee of MGTC faculty and staff members on the basis of cost, impact, and how the technique could be used in other programs.

For the Dental Hygiene video instruction project, there was no cost involved, as all associated materials were already available, and this technique can be applied to any area of instruction at the college. Additionally, the DHY instructors believe that the video clips were particularly helpful in teaching techniques to visual learners and allowed students to grasp difficult concepts more easily than when demonstrated live the first time. Utilizing the in-class videos also saves time since the video is customized to the unique procedure/demonstration and can be viewed on the student's own time, rather than in class.

"Results of the innovation were very positive," said Dr. Jansen. "Students knew what was expected of them and faculty observed more confidence in student performance with the procedures. Students loved the video clips and periodically refer to them to enhance and refresh their knowledge of the procedures throughout the quarter."

In addition to Dental Hygiene, three other nominations were made for the inaugural award. Other nominees were Cosmetology, Radiologic Technology, and Jeff Hoffman, Electronics Technology program chair.

For more information on Middle Georgia Technical College and any of its programs or services, log on to www.middleGAtech.edu or call 478.988.6800. MGTC can also be found online at Facebook and Twitter. Winter quarter classes begin January 12.

Photo: Sam Lester, Professional Development Coordinator, and developer of the Innovation in Education Award, presents the award to the DHY faculty. Accepting the award are (left to right) Debbie Harkins, Stephanie Krajewski, Dr. Barbara Jansen, and Wendy Bloodworth.