The University of Sunderland is innovating in order to prepare their paramedic healthcare professionals for the NHS front line remotely during lockdown.
In a first for the university, healthcare students can now submit evidence for practical exams through videos online.
All in an effort to support these healthcare students to progress through and complete their qualifications whilst following social distancing rules.
The move comes as the government calls for more qualified healthcare workers to join the fight against the pandemic.
VEO, the video software being used, allows lecturers and students to record, upload and share videos before tagging them with notes against key assessment criteria.
Students are also using the software to get constructive feedback and online support from lecturers to help them develop essential skills and prepare for their assessments.
VEO is being used by students to showcase their presentation as well as skills, and to talk through progress against the required standards, with students receiving remote support.
Up to 300 Paramedic students are currently undertaking their programme as planned and this software is supporting in completion against planned timescales.
Mark Willis, Programme Leader for Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the University of Sunderland said, “This software is enabling us to support students alongside our own learning management systems and ensure that the current lockdown restrictions do not prevent students progressing through the programme”.
Paul Miller, CEO and Co-Founder of VEO said, “We’re delighted to be working with the University to minimise course disruption and help healthcare students progress into practice. It’s amazing to hear how eager students are to join the front line and the last thing we want is for the pandemic to disrupt their progress. We’re happy to be helping the University to continue to deliver the high quality healthcare training that they’re renowned for.”
The University initially used the software for Paramedic Practice assessment, but is rolling it out across their assessment strategies and looking to aid other Health and Clinical courses in an effort to get more students qualified for the front line.