Drexel University

Master of Science in Learning Technologies

Graduate Cooperative Education Final Co-op Plan FORM
Revised 9/5/2007

Name:

Kathy Reilly

Phone #:

908-526-1200 x8630

Please complete this Final Co-op Plan and submit by the course due date.
Statement of Purpose
The

purpose of this co-op experience is to explore students experiences with the current on-site
practicums and the barriers to completion in order to better inform the creation of a virtual practicum that will
meet both the needs of the student as well as the curriculum requirements of this accredited program. Ideally,
the information gathered in this study would help determine best practices for a virtual practicum, one that will
give the student valuable experience that is as close as possible, or perhaps better in some ways, to an on-site
experience.
Professional/Personal Learning Objectives (at least three)
Objective One:
Develop a new type of virtual practicum using what is learned from this study and my learning from this Masters
program, with the potential for recognition in my field for creating a successful alternative to traditional practicums.
Objective Two:
Further the research on best practices in the area of virtual practicums in my field, and the related problems with
current on-site practicums.
Objective Three:
Develop an ePortfolio that can be used for my professional career growth as a college faculty member.
Strategically Planning your Co-op: Goals, Objectives and Timeline for Deliverables
Goal One:
Research and determine the problems and challenges that past and current students face when attempting to
complete their on-site practicums (4 6 weeks).
Objectives:
1. Develop short surveys for students, in order to collect data on their past/present experiences.
2. Develop a list/graphic of the problems and challenges, highlighting the most common themes encountered.
Goal Two:
Determine which domains/areas of study students need more experience with to better prepare them for their
future careers (4 6 weeks).
Objectives:
1. Gather data from previous RHIT exam takers for my program, which includes information on test scores in
each of several domains.
2. Obtain feedback from students and employers through short surveys and possibly focus groups to determine
what each group perceives as areas that need more learning.

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Goal Three:
Use the information obtained from the previous two goals to begin to develop a virtual practicum.
Objectives:
1. Find (or develop) projects and exercises that are directly related to the learning needs determined in Goal
Two.
2. Find (or develop) projects and exercises that also ensure students are learning what is required according to
the guidelines of our accrediting body.
3. Use all available learning technologies (online EHRs (Electronic Health Records), videos, podcasts, etc.) to
keep the virtual practicums current and engaging.
Finalized Theoretical Framework / Projected Outcomes and Evaluation Plans
The problem with current on-site practicums is at least two-fold; first, there often are not enough facilities to take
the number of students requiring practicums, and second, many students also work full-time, and cannot take time off to
do the practicums. Both of these problems can result in delays in getting students through the program and graduated,
despite all best efforts.
The number of practicum sites is becoming even more limited as hospital systems merge, and newer technology
and faster internet connections allow more employees to work remotely, as mentioned in the 2014 practice brief of the
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA, 2014). The article also mentions several other factors
influencing the reduction in sites willing to host students, including increasing difficulty obtaining administrative approval
due to other training considerations, and concerns regarding allowing students to access personal health information
(PHI) of patients, which in the past could be easily limited to just a small number of physical records, but with todays
electronic health records is very difficult to limit functionally (AHIMA, 2014 ). The brief also references Changing Student
Demographics as another challenge to practicum completion, mentioning the increase in the number of students
attending college part-time, and often juggling the demands of full-time employment and family obligations (AHIMA,
2014 ).
The problems described result in numerous instances of students delaying the completion of their degree, which
in turn leads to a delay in taking their national credentialing exam. It is also a possible factor in students success or failure
when taking this exam. These problems may also lead to higher student attrition rates in the program.
A virtual practicum would allow students to continue toward completion of their degree in a more timely fashion,
which should, in turn, improve overall success rates for first-time test takers.
The outcomes from this co-op experience will be a greater understanding of the problems and challenges faced
by former and current students as well as the perceived areas needing further learning. A presentation or report can be
prepared on these topics, including some type of graphical representation of the information. A further outcome of this
study will be the development of a virtual practicum, which may be completed within the co-op time frame, but may not be
able to be offered to students until the next semester, due to time constraints and curriculum change policies/procedures
at my institution.

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List of Mentors and Participants Involved in your Co-op

Participant Name
Beryl Stetson
Dr. Elizabeth Haslam
HIT program students
Practicum site employers

Job Title / Position

Department Chair, Health
Science Education
Professor

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Role In Co-op
Supervisor/Mentor
Co-op Instructor
Participants
Participants