Using the virtual classroom to

increase networking and

collaboration between students and professionals.

Sarah StablesSenior Lecturer in MidwiferyLTA conference 2016

WHAT IS WARDBOOK?• Set up in 2013 whilst undertaking

the role of Lead Midwife in the Barnsley Maternity Unit.

• Improve poor communication for staff working 12 hour shifts.

• Closed secret group with invite only option.

• Currently has 163 members of staff and SHU student. (Includes Head of Midwifery, Supervisor of Midwives, Lead Midwives and specialist Midwives)

• All senior Midwives are involved with recruitment.

Transition from Healthcare to Education!

• Keeping ownership of Wardbook and evolving the project.

The Millennium Student. What are

they?What do they

want?

• No longer require physical mobility

• Digital nomads

• Access and experience rather than ownership

• The explosion of technology has blurred the boundaries between

day and night & week days and weekend

THE BIG CONCEPT

• Suits millennial learning styles and needs.

• Improve the students employability.

• Student led teaching with the added bonus of networking.

• Free learning for professionals to maintain continued

development.

➜Generic e-mail to all students on placement in the Barnsley Maternity Unit requesting involvement & rationale for being part of project.

LECTURER FACILITATION

➜Discussion and reassurance when student is choosing the topic for web-chat.

➜Promote the event in plenty of time for maximum participation.

RECRUITING STUDENTS

DISCUSSION ONE: WEIGHT GAIN IN PREGNANCY

• Led by a senior student on placement in the trust.

• 166 comments in the 1 hour web-chat.

• Conversation viewed by 151 members of the group.

• People involved in the discussion – 24 professionals (including 3 students).

• Senior staff involved in the web-chat included the Head of Midwifery, 2 specialist midwives and 2 ward managers.

• After this web-chat the student was invited into the trust to attend the senior midwives meeting and be involved in guideline development.

Place your screenshot here

DISCUSSION TWO: SEEDING

• Led by a senior student over the 1 hour.

• 20 people involved in the web-chat (6 of which were students).

• Senior staff included 3 specialist midwives and 2 lead midwives. The discussion was seen by 145 members of staff.

• Professional staff have begun to print the conversation and use this within their portfolios.

MOVING WARDBOOK FORWARD

our office

• Involve less senior students.• Copy this model into other placement areas of the

midwifery team.• Involve other universities around the region.• Look further afield, make links with global midwifery

communities.

Thanks!Any questions?

You can find me at:@sarah_stabless.stables@shu.ac.uk