Part 3 of 3: Classroom activities based on FOAM content.
Part 1 provided an overview of FOAM in relation to education. Part 2 listed some examples of relevant blogs and podcasts. This installment will provide details on the actual integration of FOAM into your EMS classroom.
The advice here is primarily geared to paramedic classes where a preponderance of the FOAM content applies. There is a growing body of material relevant to the EMT and AEMT. There will also be some relevance to EMT and AEMT students in existing introductory, legal, and operations FOAM.
There are many uses and benefits for FOAM. While some are critical of #FOAM (see the first article for the pros and cons), many believe it is a reliable, accessible, and insightful way to access clinical information. The fact that it is free places no additional financial burdens on your students.
Uses for #FOAMed, #FOAMems and Other #FOAM
Provide flipped classroom material – part of the concept of the flipped classroom is to provide relevant material to be used outside of class so that class time can be used for higher-level cognitive learning. Many of the available podcasts fit this bill nicely—and prevent educators from having to record their own unique content.
Expand horizons – since #FOAM material may be written by/for physicians, students will get different approaches and insights to both the care they provide—and what happens at the hospital. This helps students with assessment as well as anticipating the needs of the receiving facility.
Stimulate discussions – use #FOAM as fodder for discussion. Allow it to challenge beliefs, to help students value opinions and research, and to get students out of their local thinking “box.”
Not reinvent the wheel – it is possible—even likely—that something you are considering creating for your classroom has already been done. The wealth of #FOAM audio content alone should cause you to look first before creating your own material.
Share a passion and creativity for medicine and EMS – #FOAM is more than a hashtag. It is a community. Content posted under the #FOAM hashtag is passionately created and shared for free. This can be infectious. Introducing students to #FOAM can help to develop lifelong learners and may even move some students and future providers to create and share their own material.
6 Ways to Integrate #FOAM into Your Classroom
- Assign #FOAM content as homework to read or listen to. Include relevant links in your LMS.
- Provide a handout or email your students a #FOAM article or podcast you find particularly interesting.
- Reference #FOAM content in class lectures, discussions or dynamic learning sessions.
- Teach your students to evaluate #FOAM—and all online sources—for credibility, accuracy, and relevancy.
- Use Limmer Education’s Using #FOAM in the Classroom Dynamic Learning Exercise to help students use and value #FOAM.
- Use #FOAM yourself to keep up to date with the most recent medicine.
Download a FOAM Dynamic Learning Exercise
This dynamic learning exercise will introduce students to the world of FOAM and help them find quality, relevant information to guide their studies. Download the class exercise!
Do you already integrate FOAM in your classroom? We would love to hear how you do it.
Limmer Education created the free FOAMFinder.com website and (coming soon) mobile app to help clinicians get the best clinical information, tailored to their interests, delivered directly every day.
