ASTHA takes interactive e-Learning to its next level

Initial vocational education and training
19.02.2023
The Community Paramedic (CP) training is now digitally interactive. ARITS Limited cooperated with ASTHA in scaling up the interactive tools in the existing e-Learning platform. Essential 2D medical illustrations and 3D models in the CP curriculum are now integrated into the Moodle-based open-source E-Learning platform.

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated the adoption of digital learning in the Community Paramedic (CP) training programme, ASTHA had already introduced the e-Learning platform before the pandemic even began. This was due to the limited capacity of both newly registered and existing Community Paramedic Training Institutes (CPTIs), which was restricting trainees from getting proper hands-on education. Thus, the e-Learning platform was an innovative solution to this problem, providing trainees with the opportunity to gain a more real-life, practical experience and improve their knowledge retention.

3D models integrated in e-Learning

Initially, Community Paramedic training contents, including PowerPoint presentations and quizzes, were not user-friendly, and teachers had to follow a complicated method, which was demotivating. Therefore, ASTHA team introduced the H5P plugin as a solution, which allowed teachers and students to create interactive content using a natural language system that is easy to use. Later on, in an effort to enhance the digital interactivity of the Community Paramedic training platform and make the contents more fun and interactive for students, ASTHA partnered with ARITS to develop 2D medical illustrations and 3D models that were integrated into the open-source e-Learning platform. The partnership was further supported by RADDA, the pedagogical partner of ASTHA, who provided feedback on the models to ensure that it was technically sound.

"I am thrilled to commend our partners, ARITS and RADDA MCH-FP Centre, for their outstanding professionalism and dedication. Their hard work has resulted in accessible and pedagogically sound content."
Rafi Jahin, Officer- Partnership and Innovation, ASTHA
"At ARITS, we take great pride in our joint effort with the ASTHA project to develop interactive content that not only reduces teaching time but also allows the CP students to have a wider exposure to practical learning. We think we can significantly improve people's lives through the power of technology and innovation of such kind."
Nur Azam, Director and CSO of ARITS Limited

A near-practical experience

The interactive 2D and 3D models integrated into the Community Paramedic training platform provide students with a near-practical experience by allowing students to interact with the models, rotate them and explore different perspectives. Thus they can better understand the anatomy and physiology of the human body, as well as the proper procedures for different medical interventions. This can improve their knowledge retention and help them apply what they learn in a practical setting. Additionally, the availability of such interactive models throughout the day and on various devices can enhance accessibility and convenience, making the learning process more efficient and effective.

Therefore, the e-Learning platform is a valuable tool for improving the quality of CP training, beyond the pandemic period.

"It was beyond my imagination. The clear and detailed view of the organ helped me learn faster. Thanks to e-learning, I can access top-notch contents that have enriched my medical knowledge and skills. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn using the interactive content and excited about the possibilities it presents for the future of CP training."
Salma Akhter, a first-year CP student 

This project is financed by Novartis, the Evi Diethelm Winteler Stiftung, and the Laguna Foundation, among other donors. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Bangladesh
Initial vocational education and training
High-quality healthcare services in rural areas
Achieving Sustainability Towards Healthcare Access (ASTHA) aims at contributing to the development and expansion of sustainable and high-quality healthcare at the community level by training young adults (50% women) from seven rural districts as skilled health workers. The ASTHA-project will improve the health and living conditions of the local...