INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS: BLENDED-LEARNING IN COMMUNITY PHYSICAL THERAPY

Background:
Blended-learning is defined as a teaching method which combines presential and non-presential teaching, since this term refers to the use of technological resources in order to optimize the result of the teaching-learning process.

Material and methods:
A formal education programme based on blended-learning was proposed for the subject Community Physical Therapy (University of Valencia, Spain). This programme included traditional teaching methods mixed with innovative teaching methods, comprising presential and non-presential teaching.

Results:
This abstract presents the innovative teaching methods we used in a degree subject: blended-learning applied to Community Physical Therapy. Traditional lectures, cooperative-based practical lessons and multimedia materials were available on-line. Multimedia materials included presentations with texts, graphics, concept maps, images, ecc, as well as links to further information. 8 presentations about Community Physical Therapy were included, whilst group tutorials, debate forums, clinical cases, Virtual Classroom (discussion forums, breaking news, internal mailing…) and e-mail were used in our programme.

Conclusion:
Our formal education programme based on blended-learning can be used in Physical Therapy subjects. Since this programme offers a quick access to information, a more personalized education and a possibility of interaction with information, students can overcome time-space barriers and therefore it is an open and flexible training process which demonstrates that blended-learning is useful as a tool to support learning.
This project has been funded by the teaching innovation project "Salud Pública y Fisioterapia Comunitaria" 2014/2015 by the University of Valencia.