During these uncertain times, the need to rapidly develop expertise to meet the needs of our communities calls for new techniques that allow targeted learning experiences. This session will introduce a modified ShadowBox technique that supports the development of expertise and allow participants to re-conceptualize this technique for use in a variety of disciplines.
In changing times, the need to develop expertise quickly has become paramount as many programs moved to online instruction in light of the pandemic that hit the US in Spring 2020. Faculty have moved quickly to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to achieve learning outcomes. Expertise develops as learners are able to gain foundational knowledge and apply specific principles to situations through deliberate practice and collaborative decision making. Deep expertise develops through highly motivated learners engaged in concentrated repetitive practice tied to well-defined objectives (Ericsson, 1993). Importantly, Jones (2018) emphasizes working slightly outside of one's comfort zone as one recognizes and adapts to varying levels of confidence and competence in the development of expertise. Based on cognitive transformation theory (Klein & Baxter, 2009), the ShadowBox technique allows learners to "see the world through the eyes of the expert" in the absence of the expert (Hintze, 2008). Originally developed by Hintze to give trainees a glimpse of the inner thought processes of expert firefighters, the technique has been modified for use among novices in the perceptual and cognitive cues as a diagnostic training tool (Borders, Polader, Kelin & Wright, 2015; Flanders, Gunn, Wheeler, Newsome, & Altam Klein, 2017) and to develop decision-making and communication skills (Harder & Turner, 2020). Helpful in achieving and maintaining expertise, Sachdeva (2019) describes the use of simulation-based education and training, coaching, and communities of practice. The use of virtual coaching to facilitate development of expertise is supported by practice-based learning and feedback in a variety of disciplines. Level of Participation: In this session, we will introduce a modified ShadowBox technique to quickly support learner development of expertise in collaborative decision-making. Following a brief introduction to the importance of expertise and the ShadowBox technique, attendees will view a demonstration of this strategy. Incorporating International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation Learning (INACSL) Standards of Best Practice and virtual coaching principles to screen-based simulation scenarios allows the facilitator to illustrate the application of this technique. Following review of the scenario, individual or peer decision-making is followed by review of the expert perspective and concludes with a facilitated reflective debriefing. Asynchronous discussion will extend the conversation and generate ideas for incorporating this technique into a variety of disciplines. Session Goals: Individuals attending this discovery session will be able to discuss the importance of developing expertise during these uncertain times and relate current literature regarding the development of expertise and the ShadowBox technique. They will be able to observe in an expertise-generating activity using a modified ShadowBox technique to develop expertise. And lastly, attendees will be able to discuss strategies for implementing the technique in blended learning environments.