Lesson plan design and implementation

¶ … lesson plan appropriate for the target population?

The lesson plan is appropriate to the target population because it is designed to help workers reduce or eliminate the hazards of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The lesson plan is aimed directly at workers who are likely to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, and provides real-world strategies for avoiding exposure. This is information that the target population definitely needs to have and the nature of the lesson plan will help them to remember the important safety standards they must follow.

The target population is any employee that could be "reasonably anticipated" to face contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials as a result of performing their job duties. These include doctors, nurses, policemen and firemen (or women). The plan is appropriate for all of these occupations as well as other occupations that could be exposed to bloodborne pathogens because if there is no control plan in place on the worksite, then they need to confront their supervisors and make sure that a control plan is devised.

The control plan should include the use of safe equipment and medical devices, and training in how to use them. It should also include Hepatitis B vaccination. All of the target population needs to be aware of the importance of having these measure in place at the worksite. The lesson plan is designed to increase that awareness as well as provide specific information on how to avoid exposure.

Does the lesson plan use innovative teaching strategies?

The teaching strategies are not particularly innovative. However that is not necessarily a bad thing because they are using tried and true methods such as class participation, powerpoint presentations, feedback and evaluation. According to Bradshaw and Lowenstein, innovative teaching strategies must involve creativity, however more than anything else, they need to be effective. There is nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking about the teaching strategies in this lesson plan, however the methods chosen seem to be ones that are likely to be effective with the target population.

Does the lesson plan have clear objectives and outcomes?

The lesson plan does have clear objectives and outcomes. It specifically states that after the students have completed the lesson, they should be able to do the following:

1. Give at least 3 examples of workers who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

2. List the three ways exposure to bloodborne pathogens commonly occurs.

3. Describe at least 5 key aspects of a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control

Plan

4. Explain how properly used PPE and appropriate housekeeping methods protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

5. List three important steps to take if exposed to a bloodborne pathogen

These are all very specific and measurable goals, which according to Bradshaw and Lowenstein is a vital part of a good lesson plan. The authors of the lesson plan could have stated much vaguer goals, such "the student will become more familiear with exposure to bloodborne pathogens." However, vague objectives like that cannot be accurately measured. So it is good that this lesson plan states exactly what the student should be able to learn.

What is expected of the learner? The nurse educator?

As is stated above, the learner is expected to meet the objectives that have been outlined in the lesson plan. They are also supposed to come away from the lesson understanding that the transmission of bloodborne pathogens could lead to disease or death, which makes it an extremely critical manner. The nurse educator is expected to make them aware that they are in danger of contracting AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C They are also expected to make sure that the students understand the different ways that they could become contaminated, including through needles, and contaminants getting in their nose, mouth, eyes or skin.