Ultrasound Physics: 

Overview

An interactive learning experience and a supplemental infographic were developed to enhance the beginner sonography students' ability to analyze and apply ultrasound physics principles regarding imaging artifacts.  

Audience: Sonography students 

Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Storyboarding, Action Mapping (Needs Analysis), Prototyping 

Tools used: Articulate Rise, Corel PaintShop Pro, PowerPoint

The Client's Problem

There are several complex concepts covered in the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation course. One learning module that was challenging for students to conceptualize was ultrasound artifacts; artifacts are errors in diagnostic medical imaging. This module includes the characteristics of ultrasound artifacts along with how to recognize and correct these errors when obtaining ultrasound images. The beginner sonography student must understand the types and causes of ultrasound artifacts to take appropriate action when scanning patients. Specific artifacts help with the diagnosis of certain pathologies and sonographers need to highlight those artifacts for diagnosis. Artifacts that are visualized on the ultrasound images that don't help diagnose can be omitted with adjustments that remove the erroneous information. An understanding of the causes will enable the student sonographer to apply that knowledge by making the appropriate scanning or system adjustments as needed. To increase the student's understanding of these concepts, an infographic, and interactive learning object were created.

Target Audience

The target learners are sonography students in the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation course. The students in this course are beginning their ultrasound education and have minimal knowledge of this content. An important design consideration is the prerequisites for entry into the sonography program that require students without hearing or visual impairment including color acuity due to the requirements of the sonography field. The learners are between twenty and fifty years of age with the average in their late twenties and early thirties. The students have a mixture of job, academic, and technical experience; however, most do not have any prior ultrasound-related experience.

The Solution

An infographic was created to provide a visual reference for multiple ultrasound artifacts. The visual reference aids the students' ability to distinguish between artifacts and real anatomy. The infographic describes what causes the artifact and how that artifact can be omitted from the image. The infographic assists the students in correlating the types of artifacts with their causes. A description of how certain artifacts can be removed from the ultrasound image is provided allowing the student to modify scanning techniques or system adjustments. The artifacts that are useful in diagnosis won’t need modification and the infographic will specify those artifacts that are pertinent in the diagnosis of certain pathologies. 

The interactive learning object reviews the sonographic terms that are covered in an earlier learning unit. These sonographic terms will be used to describe the ultrasound image along with the imaging artifacts. The student will practice selecting the appropriate terms that describe the features of the artifact visualized. The learning interactive object provides diagrams showing what happens to the sound beam as it is transmitted, reinforcing the causes of the imaging artifacts. The interaction object correlates the artifact visualized to the specific factor within the six imaging system assumptions. There are several interactive assessment activities in the learning object.

Design Theory

Infographic

The layout of the infographic lists the six basic assumptions of imaging systems along with corresponding information in the same information block. The information provided in each block includes the type of artifact, what is visualized on the image along with its cause, and the system adjustment that can eliminate the artifact or if it’s used for diagnosis then no adjustment is needed. The infographic provides a visual reference with small chunks of information to beginner sonography students that aids the learning process regarding imaging artifacts. The students will gain knowledge in recognizing the artifact on the ultrasound image, what causes the artifact based on the system assumption, and how they can adjust the system to correct the artifact. The only exception to adjustments would be if the artifact is useful for diagnosing, then no adjustment is needed. The color scheme throughout the infographic is from the same color palette that incorporated the school colors.  Corresponding colors were used to chunk information related to the different system assumptions. The goal of this infographic is to bridge the students' knowledge gap and provide a supplemental visual guide with the interactive learning module. 

Interactive Learning Object

The mixed-media learning object that was designed will help beginner sonography students learn information regarding imaging artifacts in small chunks. I used a combination of backward design and the ARCS model of motivation while developing the instructional plan by identifying the desired results, incorporating ways to show evidence of learning, and aligning the flow of content in a logical sequence. 

All the knowledge checks provide immediate feedback with correct and incorrect responses. This includes a brief description to allow reinforcement throughout the learning process. Utilizing diagrams, real ultrasound images, video clips, and clinical scenarios within some of the content provides an approach to applying real-life information and scenarios. Presenting the information in small chunks, utilizing guided discovery, real-world problem-solving scenarios, and using a variety of learning strategies provides an interactive engaging learning experience.

Design & Development Process

I designed and developed this eLearning experience from start to finish. To accomplish this, I created an action map, wrote a text-based storyboard, designed visual mockups, developed an interactive prototype, and completed the final product. 

Action Mapping 

I consulted an ultrasound physics instructor, a registered vascular sonographer, as my subject matter expert (SME), to develop the action map and establish the overall goal for this learning project. We assimilated student feedback to determine key goals regarding ultrasound artifacts. We decided to measure artifact recognition by obtaining student feedback and quiz results upon completion of the training. 

Texted-Based Storyboard

I drafted and iterated a text-based storyboard that served as my design plan

 When creating the storyboard, I used essential embedded notes following learning theory and practices to create an ideal learner-centered experience. 

Visual Design - Mockups

I used the Articulate Rise clinical scenario scenes and edited them to fit the ultrasound environment. Corel PaintShop Pro and PowerPoint were also used to design visuals and edit ultrasound images that were used in the learning experience. 

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