In August/September 2022, we welcomed Dr Laurie Posey, Associate Professor at George Washington University, to Cape Town for a 3-week visit in h

er position as a Fulbright Specialist. Laurie is an Instructional Designer, specialising in curriculum design, online and blended learning, program evaluation and the use of technology to support all aspects of health professional education. Initially planned for March 2020, but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was so beneficial to finally be able to work with her in-person, after developing a solid relationship online over the past two years.

The goals of Dr Posey’s time with HCCNDU were principally professional development of the team, evaluation of existing blended/online opportunities and application of learning to the design of new postgraduate programmes in planning. Three team participative seminars were held providing guidance about Instructional Design, the Community of Inquiry Framework and issues of equity and accessibility. Experiences were mutually shared about the variety of tools and techniques available to facilitate online learning and collaboration. An Appreciative Inquiry evaluation of the newly developed/transitioned Essentials of Nursing Sick Children and Masters in Nursing courses was commenced. All lessons learnt were reflected back in-the-moment into the future courses currently in the planning stages.

In addition to in-Unit work, Dr. Posey, presented at a Seminar titled, ‘Looking back to look forward: a participative seminar about online learning’,  offered to local Schools of Nursing and to colleagues in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, and a second Seminar is planned for the November meeting of the Children’s Nursing Educators Forum.

During her visit, we gathered information richly, and reflected deeply, and as she departed, were left with a long list of ideas to further explore and sense of excitement about the application of lessons to future online and blended HCCNDU opportunities.