Module 3 Multiple Intelligences Test

Ranked from lowest to highest, my multiple intelligences test showed that I equally prefer linguistic and musical, next locigal-mathematical, then special-visual, interpersonal, bodily-kinesthetic, and lastly intrapersonal. My scores ranged from 27 to 37 showing me that I have multiple learning styles and can benefit from pretty much any range of activity as long as they vary from to time to time. Based on the results of the Multiple Intelligences Test, some technologies I might incorporate to augment my personal learning from each intelligence type are listed below:

Linguistic: Spoken lectures through the windows media streaming. I can pause if the lecturer is speaking too fast and take breaks when I feel necessary. I can also watch the videos at my own convenience.

Logical-mathematical: Inputting numbers into a device, for instance, the alaris pumps for IV infusions. Use of pumps while in lab can help me logically figure out where the tubing goes and what numbers to input so I have correct rates and dosages.

Musical: Although I would not prefer to have music while in a classroom setting, I have had music in the background while studying at home, or even walking to class. This gives me a break from thinking and in a way allows my mind to tune in to something completely different while still using the higher levels of my brain to interpret the notes being played. I also think it would be beneficial to hear adventitious sounds as we learn about them in a classroom setting. Often times, certain sounds are described in text, but it would be beneficial to hear them.

Bodily-Kinesthetic: Stimulation labs have a lot of potential to augment my style for physical experience. It is helpful to show pictures, but also, to be able to physically touch and perform assessments would be helpful.

Spatial-Visual: The use of computers and PDAs can be helpful here as I will be able to find answers at the touch of a button, or access information quickly. This method is incorporated in every technology I’ve been exposed to. If I can see it, I have learned that much more than just hearing someone say it.

Interpersonal: Blogs, discussion boards, and the use of email allow for communication outside of the classroom and with those whom I probably would not have communicated with in the past.

Intrapersonal: Blogs and journal entries, whether published or unpublished help solidify my thoughts on particular matters. Writing down personal impressions, or note taking can help me remember and reflect the things I am learning.

Module 2 Response

In response to Susan's Blog found at susanvanbeuge.blogspot.com for Question 1.

I’ve been present for many presentations in which these terms she mentioned in her blog are used. I find it interesting that they have been around for awhile, at least since I started college in 2001, but I just forget to use them when I’m doing my searches. What has helped me is also going through the tutorials and learning what kind of things you can do to enhance your research. I thought it was VERY interesting she found more articles when PTSD was written out fully than using PTSD. I say this because the authors of the articles we read probably understand that no one wants to read an 8o page paper. Scholars and researchers are busy, so I feel it’s important to get the results and discussion across in a concise manner and I would think using acronyms would help decrease the length. I like that you keep a list of research items in a notebook to take home. Often times while researching one topic another one is sparked, but we don’t want to get too off topic, but it may be a subject that is well worth researching at a future time. It shows me the connection that everything has.

Module 2 Part 3 Retrieval-Compare & Contrast

The electronic index I used was PubMed. The Guideline index was the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC), and the web search engine of google. As mentioned in my previous blog, PubMed‘s database facilitated my ability to construct an efficient search because of the nature of the database itself. This is a good place to conduct a search and find articles to do an extensive literature review. The NGC index is useful for very specific search inquiries since options for type of disease, category, year, type of research/literature review, target population, etc. may be chosen. Since it is a database for guidelines, it was not extremely helpful with my search on prescription drug abuse, but I can see the potential if I wanted to find out specific guidelines for prescribing medications. For me, this was more of a “what nurses should be doing, the gold standard for care,” document. Google had a vast array of links, it was overwhelming to decide which website would contain the most correct and helpful information. I don’t discount google just because it’s not peer reviewed, but there is a lot of information in the world and the internet is one way lay people can access it. Clearly, in an academic setting, PubMed and other electronic indices stand superior to google. The problem with google is that every website seems to validate what is published on their website. I think the key is knowing which ones are sponsored by legit governmental groups, like the NIH or the CDC.

Alternative strategies for retrieving relevant information are text books and clinical resources similar to MICROMEDEX. The University of Utah has access to Mosby’s Nursing Skills, a tool very similar to the NGC guidelines. These aren’t from peer reviewed journals, but provide very accurate information relevant for nursing practice. The important difference between electronic indices and textbooks and clinical resources is the assumption that textbooks and clinical resources make use of evidence based practice. Hopefully the information is from research and literature, but as we all know, knowing something and actually doing it are two different things.

Module 2 Part 2 End Note

End Note is a great reference management software that I am just learning how to use. Retrieved articles are sorted by all references, trash, custom groups, smart groups, online searches, and endnote web. I started to sort the articles I thought may be useful and relevant into particular groups because there are different factors that may affect abuse potential. These factors include and are not limited to age, location, social economic status, previous experience with non-narcotics, and narcotics. What I found most useful about End Note is the actual management of bibliographies themselves. All the information is stored in one library and is accessible. One can also add figures and charts. When I attended the End Note session with Jeanne Le Ber, she did mention some down sides to End Note, including the fact that access to full link articles can sometimes be missed on End Note’s online search when in fact there are links available and the searcher must manually go through each article to see if there is a link. It’s always nice to have that availability, and really with the advancement in electronic technology, most would like to have immediate access rather than search for a paper copy in the archives of the library. Over all, End Note has helped me better organize and share information more efficiently than I had in the past.

Module 2 Part 1 Electronic Index

The clinical problem I was researching was prescription drug abuse in the state of Utah. I used PubMed as my electronic index. Although a great database to retrieve information about prescription drug abuse, I was unable to find information specifically for the state of Utah. I don’t think this is because there is not any published information, but rather none submitted to this particular database. In general, I was able to find numerous articles on this topic and by limiting my search to specific age groups and recently published articles, the list became more manageable to sort through. The database facilitated my ability to construct an efficient search because of the nature of the database itself. It contains peer reviewed articles and synthesis of studies following the problem of prescription drug abuse. Other research questions were also generated as I sorted through and read abstracts helping to narrow and focus the search if I was performing a literature review for a paper. The search was very time consuming as there were many articles to sort and read through. The most time consuming part would be the actual reading of abstracts to make sure I wanted to invest my time to read the rest of the article. A barrier to using the index in daily practice is that one can probably do a very extensive literature review, which would give grounds to conduct a study specifically for the state of Utah, but most articles I read included information about drug abuse itself, not so much the evaluative piece after implementing strategies to reduce abuse rates. Over all, PubMed is a great place to begin a literature review.