Using Free Online Materials in Health Personnel Management - HCA 312
Using Free Online Materials in Health Personnel Management - HCA 312
Purpose: to share an experience finding open educational resources (OERs)
Common Course ID: HCA 312
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait
Abstract: This open educational resource is being utilized in a Health Care Management course for undergraduate or graduate students by Aaron Reich at California State University, Long Beach in the Health Care Management program. The open textbook provides an overview of both written and oral communication in business settings and is supplement with podcasts from various news media entities and other universities and videos from the Professor. The main motivation to adopt an open textbook was to save students money, given the skyrocketing cost of rent in California. Most students access the open textbook in their web browser or through a downloadable PDF.
Health Personnel Management (HCA 312)
Brief Description of course highlights: The management of human resources in a health care setting. Principles and methods of personnel work such as employee recruitment, selection, retention, training, evaluation, wage and salary administration, and labor management relations.
Student Population: This course is targeted who those desiring a career in health care. This is a prerequisite course for many of the health care management courses and is similar to an “HR 101” introductory course.
Learning or student outcomes: Students who have completed the course should be able to gain a grasp of Human Resources Management functions, become familiar with techniques and tools, and be aware of recent developments that impact the workforce in a healthcare setting.
Assignments: There are many discussions and homework questions assigned throughout this course, in addition to quizzes, a mid-term and final exam.
Textbook or OER/Low cost Title:
The Fundamentals of Healthcare Administration: Navigating Challenges and Coordinating Care - Open Textbook Library
This book is written for those interested in acquiring a thorough knowledge base relative to the intricacies of the organizational theories, customs, and insights significant to the management of health service organizations. It examines the foundational aspects of leadership and management as they relate to establishing and maintaining the principles and practices within healthcare organizations. The book opens with a discussion on the differences between health, healthcare, and health care while providing an overview of healthcare management and organizational trends. It culminates in discussions of leadership, management, motivation, organizational behavior, and management thinking. Additionally, it discusses topics of information technology, teamwork, health disparities, organizational culture, performance, and change.
Hyperlink(s) to the resource(s): Textbook
Author: Whitney Hamilton
Student access: OER repository: MERLOT.
Supplemental resources: Additional resources will be uploaded to the Canvas LMS which will include slides and links to YouTube videos.
Cost savings: A minimum of $56.00, per student (cost dependent on format: rental, online or paperback book. The lowest cost as of December 2024 is $56)
License: Openly licensed. For more information on CC license go to https://creativecommons.org/
OER/Low Cost Adoption Process
Explanation or motivation to find the OER(s): Save students money and improve learning materials by using more up-to-date sources.
How did you find and select the open textbook for this course? Consulted Librarian and Instructional Design Consultant.
Sharing Best Practices: MERLOT is one of many tools available to us as faculty. This course allowed me to learn the fundamentals of OER searching and enabled me to explore the tools available to us.
Describe any key challenges you experienced, how they were resolved and lessons learned:
I experienced a few key challenges related to this textbook. The content is a little bit disorganized. I had to sift through the chapters very carefully to decide which individual sections of chapters I wanted students to read and when. This can be resolved once fully implemented into the Canvas LMS.
Instructor Name:
Aaron D. Reich, M.B.A.
Your title and institution with a link to your university page: I am a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach. I teach Health Personnel Management (HCA 312) and Technology, Ethics and Society (HCA 417).
What were the benefits of teaching with digital textbooks? They are easier not only for the students but also for faculty. The ease of not having to carry around textbooks and knowing that you always have access to the latest / greatest and most current book is important!
Have you noticed a difference in student learning outcomes in regard to digital vs. print textbooks? Yes, I feel digital books are easier and will be the 'wave of the future'.
Did you need to change any part of your pedagogy to accommodate students who learn better with digital textbooks? For my particular courses, no. The reason for that is my courses are already online based although historically paper / physical textbooks have been used.
Do you have any advice for other faculty concerned with teaching students utilizing digital textbooks? Other than accessibility, I do not.
Describe your teaching philosophy and courses you teach (or taught) and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching:
My teaching philosophy centers around fostering a student-centered learning environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and lifelong learning. I believe in creating an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and motivated to participate. By integrating technology and real-world applications into my lessons, I aim to make learning both engaging and relevant. I pride myself on being approachable as I too was in the same shoes as my students and although it was many years ago, I still remember it as if it were yesterday!
I currently teach Health Care Personnel Management and Technology, Ethics and Society.
Link to your university page: Looks like my department needs to do some updating here 😊
Please describe the courses you teach:
HCA 312 – Health Personnel Management: The management of human resources in a health care setting. Principles and methods of personnel work such as employee, recruitment, selection, retention, training, evaluation, wage / salary administration, and labor management relations.
HCA 417 – Technology, Ethics, and Society (Writing Intensive): A framework for understanding the ways in which human societies transform themselves through technological innovation. Ethical questions concerning the social effects of technological change.