All posts by Carla Herling

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

September’s featured digital faculty member: David Plutschack

Each month, a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. September’s digital faculty member of the month is David Plutschack, assistant professor of occupational therapy, College of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Read an interview with David below:

What course do you use this technology in? Currently, I am teaching the OTD 132 Orthotics and Positioning course, which is generally a very hands-on lecture and lab while on campus.

What type of technology (hardware/software) do you use? Prior to the COVID outbreak, I actually was frequently incorporating various forms of technology within my lectures and lab. I started using a mobile application called PhysioU in 2018 in the OTD 111 (Application of Kinesiology to Occupational Therapy) course and have continued using it this semester. Given the hands-on nature of this course, going virtual provided a new challenge. To combat this, I began using Zoom along with students using smartphone cameras as needed.

In what context do you use this technology (assessment/lecture/group work/etc.)? When on campus, we would typically spend about an hour working in small groups of 5-6 students on patient case studies. Students would work through complex case studies based on upper extremity diagnoses. In a virtual format, lectures are prerecorded using Panopto, but we meet live for one-hour weekly during our regularly scheduled time. Students are broken into small groups using Zoom breakout rooms and complete the case studies virtually. After about 30-45 minutes in the breakout rooms, we go back as a whole class and discuss the case studies as a group.

PhysioU is a mobile platform for occupational and physical therapy education. This website and application have been vital to delivering my labs virtual. Prior to the COVID outbreak, students would watch the videos prior to lab, then complete splinting live during lab. In a virtual platform, students use the videos and complete their splints at home on themselves, family members, or roommates (while maintaining social distancing). During lab times, Zoom is used for check-ins regarding lab assignments and grading purposes.

How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy? Using technology is ingrained in my teaching philosophy and scholarship. Utilizing technology and various multimedia platforms to deliver occupational therapy pedagogy allows for all types of learners (visual, auditory, etc.) to grasp difficult concepts. Mobile technology such as webpages and mobile apps also provides students with the ability to develop hands-on clinical skills, which may be difficult from textbooks alone.

Where did you get the inspiration to make a change (colleague/seminar/administration/etc.)? I started researching mobile applications for teaching occupational therapy clinical skills in 2018 for the OTD 111 course and fell in love with PhysioU’s approach to technology and education. I was able to establish a great working relationship with the founders of PhysioU and have actually developed content as an author of the SplintPro portion of the website. This only further sparked my interest in technology in occupational therapy education

How long did it take for you to implement this technology? Implementing PhysioU into OTD 111 and OTD 132 was quite rapid. Students love it because it has videos of hands-on techniques, rather than text and a picture from textbooks. At the start of the COVID outbreak, utilizing Zoom had to occur quickly, but I was well versed on the platform and felt the transition went well.

Since transitioning to remote teaching, how has your use of this technology changed, if at all? To me, no big changes in using the PhysioU application. The only change is students are completing their splinting at home rather than in lab. Students were given home safety recommendations and home splint fabrication recommendations, since the videos on PhysioU were made with equipment regularly available in clinics and Drake OT labs. The equipment available at home varies between each student.

Overall, what lessons (if any) do you think you have learned while transitioning to remote teaching? I have been incredibly grateful for the Drake University occupational therapy students being flexible, resilient, and creative during this transition to remote teaching. They have made this transition much easier than I imagined. One lesson I have learned while teaching remotely is the extreme amount of preparation that goes in to deliver high quality remote teaching. Another is the importance of face-to-face time with my students. I find the Zoom live group work and lab check-ins weekly to be very valuable to student success. Keeping open communication is key.

Both before and during this transition, did Drake ITS assist you in implementing any of these technologies?  If so, how? No, I am pretty tech savvy, so I was able to set everything up personally.

Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.

Want to learn more about using Panopto or Zoom in your course? Explore the knowledge base categories:

Panopto: https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2025/Portal/KB/?CategoryID=17251

Zoom: https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2025/Portal/KB/?CategoryID=18578&SIDs=7847

—Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS

HR Information Archive

COVID-19 support resources

Drake has a variety of resources to assist faculty and staff during this ongoing pandemic. In an effort to make these resources more accessible, HR has consolidated them into one section on the HR web page. The web page can be found by going to to my.drake.edu and clicking on Human Resources under Commonly Used Apps. Then select COVID-19 Support Resources.

Resources include links to the Drake coronavirus website, and essential information within this site; Iowa childcare resources; DSM Tutor Connection; Supplemental Paid Leave Plan; link to Employee & Family Resources; Drake TEAMS Chat Groups; Doctors on Demand®; and additional health and wellness information.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Faculty and staff flu shot clinics

There are a few openings left—sign up today to receive your flu shot. Human Resources purchased 300 flu vaccines to be provided at no cost to faculty and staff and administered by Drake CPHS student pharmacists and pharmacist faculty members.

Flu shot clinics will be held during morning hours on October 5, 7, 9, and 12. Those who wish to participate must register online at https://tinyurl.com/CPHSwellness2020 for an appointment.

This year’s employee flu clinic will be held in a “drive-up” format in Parking Lot 2 across from Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. Those participating will drive their car to the lot during their appointment time (or walk up if you are not driving), receive the vaccination, and then will be asked to wait in their car in the parking lot for the 15-minute, post-vaccination safety waiting period.

If you have any questions regarding the flu shots, please contact Nora Stelter, PharmD, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice at nora.stelter@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Healthiest State Walk and 5-2-1-0 program

Grab your walking shoes and join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

To maintain social distancing, we are not going to meet as a group at a specific time to start the walk. Instead, we are asking everyone to take a break at any time during the day on Oct. 7 and go for a walk—at home or on campus.

If you are working on campus, try out the new Bulldog Mile path. Follow the signs and giant blue paw prints on the sidewalks around campus. A map is posted east of the Olmsted Center. You may also view the route at drake.edu/map under Points of Interest.

Once you finish the Healthiest State Walk, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to enter a drawing for a chance at prizes.

The Iowa Healthiest State walk is celebrated in October as part of Iowa’s Healthiest State Month initiative. In addition to the walk, the initiative is focusing on its 5-2-1-0 program throughout the month. The daily goal is to eat five fruits or vegetables, spend two hours or less of screen time outside of work, get at least one hour of physical activity, and consume zero sugary beverages.

Let’s begin our road to better health with the Healthiest State Walk!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Send a postcard to your family

The Office of Academic Excellence and Student Success has made the decision to cancel in-person Family Weekend scheduled for Oct. 2–4. This decision aligns with University guidelines and public health recommendations as we continue to manage the spread of COVID-19.

While we are disappointed by this news, we are excited to offer you an opportunity to send your loved ones a postcard to greet them and thank them for their support this semester. You can pick up a postcard from the front desk of any of the residence halls or the Student Life Center in Olmsted. Simply grab a postcard, fill it out and return it to a box at your residence hall front desk or in the Student Life Center in Olmsted by Friday, Oct. 2. We will take care of mailing it.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

HR Information Archive

Drake joins additional tuition exchange program

Drake is now a participating member of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities’ Tuition Exchange Program (CIC–TEP), which consists of around 440 member colleges and universities. This change broadens the opportunities for Drake employees and their eligible dependents to attend another institution of higher education tuition-free.

Drake also participates in the tuition exchange program offered through Tuition Exchange, Inc., which has over 670 participating institutions. More information about each of these tuition exchange programs may be found on HR’s Tuition Benefits webpage.

— Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Get to know Drake’s newest faculty

Drake University welcomed 18 new faculty members and two new deans for the 2020–2021 academic year. Coming from various backgrounds and communities, these new faces will help drive the University’s mission to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship.

Learn more about the 2020–2021 new faculty cohort, including why they chose Drake and their field of study.

— Sandra Harris, Provost’s Office

Campus Announcements Archive

The Bulldog Mile

Add some steps to your day while exploring campus with the Bulldog Mile! This bulldog-shaped, one-mile path around and through campus is perfect for easy walking, jogging, or running.

Most signs have been posted and blue paw prints placed strategically around the route. The main sign with a map of the route will be installed outside of Olmsted by the end of the month.

To view the route, go to drake.edu/map, click on the drop down tab next to Points of Interest, and click on The Bulldog Mile.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Walktober Step Challenge

Are you looking for some motivation to get moving? The Walktober Step Challenge may be the answer.

You will receive a journal and instructions to track your daily steps both on and off campus during the month of October. Any movement that records steps counts, including walking, working in the yard, and fitness classes. Along the way, you will receive fun facts and have a chance to win individual prizes.

This event is open to all faculty, staff, and students. To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 25.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Employee and Family Resources fall webinars

Employee and Family Resources is continuing its series of COVID-19 related webinars through the fall and early winter months. The September webinar is:

COVID Recovery: Emotional Support for Those Impacted By COVID-19
Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. 
The current Pandemic and Derecho are disasters that have disrupted day-to-day activities and increased anxiety and depression for many.  The impact of compounding stress affects every aspect of a person’s life.  Learn what you can do to support yourself during these times. Register here.

Visit Employee & Family Resources’ website for a full list of upcoming webinars. View past webinars here.

EFR offers a variety of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources to help you now or anytime.  Reach EAP by phone (800-327-4692) or visit its website at efr.org/login/.  All EAP benefits are confidential and available 24/7/365.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources