Bridging the gap between theory and practice: a multimedia tutorial for students of voice therapy

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Educational Technology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Traditional speech and language therapy training often lacks sufficient real-world diagnostic experience.
• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical clinical application is crucial for student development.
• Voice disorders present unique diagnostic challenges requiring specialized training tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a computer-based tutorial for speech and language therapy students.
• To enhance active learning and preparation for clinical practice using digitized video-recordings.
• To integrate expert commentary and interactive elements for a comprehensive learning experience.

Main Methods:

• A computer-based tutorial was created, linking digitized video of a diagnostic interview with a voice-disordered client to an on-screen transcript.
• The tutorial package incorporated student-centered guidance, assessment tasks, and commentary from experienced clinicians and lecturers.
• Student and clinician feedback was collected to evaluate the tutorial's effectiveness.

Main Results:

• The tutorial facilitated active learning by providing dynamic access to diagnostic interview footage and expert insights.
• Students and supervising clinicians provided positive feedback on the tutorial's utility as a preparatory tool.
• The program demonstrated potential in simulating clinical scenarios for skill development.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based tutorials with linked video and transcripts can effectively support speech and language therapy education.
• This approach enhances student preparation for real-world clinical practice in voice disorder assessment.
• Interactive, student-centered digital tools are valuable for specialized clinical training.