Abstract

In relation to simulation-based health professions education (SBHPE), mobile learning offers new ways of developing clinical skills and is becoming a key component of how we teach and learn across the spectrum of learners. Learners typically practice hands-on clinical skills within simulation laboratories posing two issues that highlight the need to consider another SBHPE model: (1) logistical and financial barriers lead to restricted access, and (2) on-the-go learning is preferred by many learners. This proposed work-in-progress describes the development of GEN2GO, a mobile, decentralized model of SBHPE that offers learners the opportunity to practice clinical skills outside of these simulation laboratories. This model of mobile learning is based on a previously developed and tested web-based learning management system called the Gamified Learning Management Network (GEN) which promotes collaborative learning by empowering learners to participate in online educational activities via incorporating gamification. An important component of GEN includes the upload of video recordings by learners. However, bandwidth and connectivity issues experienced by some users with mobile devices resulted in low uptake rates by the learners on a mobile platform. To address this problem, the mobile application GEN2GO was designed which allows learners to trim and recompress the video locally before uploading to GEN. GEN2GO is currently available on TestFlight for iOS users, and after completing ongoing pilot tests and modifications with stakeholder groups, we intend to expand GEN2GO into a fully functional application with access to all of GEN's features. In the future, we intend to incorporate crowdsourcing into GEN2GO to support peer-assisted learning as well as investigate the relative advantage of including content experts in feedback.