Interactive Cultural Competency Education for Millennial Students

• In Event: Intersectionality of Culture and Identity in the Professions

Abstract

Millennials are defined as technologically savvy with a general dislike of traditional lectures and a preference for multi-media presentations and clear guidelines. Cultural competency education, now a necessary component of professional programs, can be difficult to integrate into an already packed curriculum. To meet program needs and engage Millennials, we developed an interactive, on-line, cultural competency education suited for a variety of health science students. We focused on the technology, including video and visuals, a virtual simulation activity, and integrated interactive discussion boards and e-logs. Pre-and post-testing did show statistically significant gains in learning; however, contrary to expectations, student evaluations revealed a somewhat ambiguous attitude toward the elements thought to appeal to Millennials.

Authors

• Lorraine Evans, Georgia Regents University

• Phillip J Hanes, Medical College of Georgia