(BALTIMORE, Md.) – A Notre Dame of Maryland University nursing professor and a leading voice in public health nursing was selected to join the inaugural Digital Academy by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The highly competitive academy connected innovative nurse educators with Apple Distinguished Educators to sharpen their skills as digital content creators.
Dr. Sabita Persaud, associate professor in the NDMU School of Nursing, was one of 30 nursing faculty selected for AACN’s Digital Academy: Building the Essentials Tool Kit with Digital Innovation, which took place from Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. Program participants came from 20 states and represented an array of institution types, including small liberal arts programs, public and private schools, and large academic health centers. AACN launched the Digital Academy, in collaboration with Apple Education, to advance AACN’s mission to promote excellence and innovation in nursing education.
“I was thrilled to participate in the academy because I wanted to learn how to maximize technology in the classroom and in nursing practice, as well as develop a support network of Apple Distinguished Educators and other nursing faculty to help me do it,” said Dr. Persaud. “The idea of pen, paper, and books is really antiquated. Today’s students expect to use technology in the classroom, and we just have to move with the times.”
During the Digital Academy, the faculty completed projects that leverage educational technology to offer fresh approaches to teaching and learning at schools of nursing. Participants may submit their digital projects for inclusion in an AACN tool kit and for consideration as a poster presentation or abstract at one of AACN’s conferences in 2022.
As part of the program, Dr. Persaud published an interactive Apple Book on health literacy that she plans to integrate into her classes. She also started using Apple’s Animojis, or animal-based avatars, to record and share brief introductions of her weekly discussions.
“Instead of having traditional lectures or discussions, we can use these digital tools to actively engage students in a learning module,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the School of Nursing and across the campus to develop interdisciplinary projects and curriculum using these educational technologies.”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
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