VIII. Instructional Techniques

Several techniques are used by chapter advisors to integrate HOSA into the classroom. The following techniques are offerd to stimulate interest in using HOSA as an instructional tool for preparing a competent work force for the health care system.
  1. Review professional oaths. When presenting the history of medicine, discuss the significance of the following oaths:
  2. Elect chapter officers. Students should be given oppotunities to make decisions and to see the consequences of those decisions. Members need to elect a leadership team to guide their class and chapter. While some members serve in leadership roles, all members are able to witness first-hand the challenges that face elected leaders and their followers. The HOSA chapter experience can be likened to the "health care team" that must work together to achieve a common goal - quality health care.

    3. When the chapter advisor uses the officer team to facilitate classroom functions, it will be much easier for students to see the curricular nature of the HOE-HOSA Partnership. The officer team should be as concerned and involved with classroom activities as it is HOSA chapter activities.

    Class and/or chapter officers can be used in a variety of ways:

  3. Establish committees. To give most, if not all, students the opportunity to practice leadership skills, the chapter can establish standing and ad-hoc committees to achieve the program of work. Appoint students as chairpersons of committees who were not elected chapter officers. The committee structure will encourage greater student involvement since more members (not just officers) will feel a greater sense of ownership in the chapter.
  4. Use parliamentary procedure. The proper use of parliamentary procedure enables a group to arrive at a decision in an orderly manner. All members are provided the opporunity to state their opinion on an issue. Parliamentary procedure promotes a team spirit, demonstrates cooperation, builds group harmony, and provides a structure for discussion and decision making in a group. Parliamentary procedure recognizes the will of the majority in regulating the actions of all versus the will of the few regulating the total.
  5. Prepare a chapter newletter. Chapter newsletters achieve several teaching objectives, including: development of basic communication skills; dissemination of news to the total membership and support groups; reinforcement of major topics presented in the classroom; development of ownership and pride in the organization; and an official record of the success in integrating the HOE-HOSA Partnership into the classroom and curriculum. All members should be asked to contribute articles to the newsletter throughout the year.
  6. Emphasize professional dress and grooming. Personal and career success is enhanced by good grooming and professional dress. By rewarding good habits while in school, members will achieve greater success when competing for entry level positions and career advancements. A dress up day is a positive image builder for the HOSA chapter and will raise the visibility of the HOE program and health care careers among all students.
  7. Sponsor field trips. Chapter members should identify and select the health care facilities they wish to visit during the membership year. After decisions are made, chapter members should be appointed (by the President) to contact and coordinate the field trips.
  8. Attend civic, professional, or trade meetings. By representing HOSA at such meetings, other groups will realize the professionalism and desire of HOSA members to prepare themselves for future leadership responsibilities. In getting involved in civic, professional, and trade meetings while in school, members will be less reluctant to do so as health care workers. Observations at these meetings can be discussed at chapter meetings to share the experiences with those students unable to attend.
  9. Interview health care leaders. Assign students the responsibility to interview selected health care leaders and to share their findings with all students. The interviewers can develop a questionnaire to guide the interview.
  10. Sponsor a blood pressure screening clinic. In this activity, members are able to develop, practice, and refine a variety of skills, including: organizational and planning skills; supervisor skills; technical skills; people skills; and evaluation skills. Members are responible for organizing the project; securing a place to conduct the clinic; developing a promotional plan; preparing an advertisement or article for the newspaper; preparing promotional postors; scheduling members to work the clinic; conducting professional blood pressure screenings; etc.
  11. Prepare an extemporaneous talk. Health care workers must be able to organize their ideas and express them whenever called upon. The development of good communication skills will enhance the career advancement of HOE students. Those students who enjoy extemporaneous speaking should review the guidelines for the HOSA competitive event called "Extemporaneous Speaking."
  12. Prepare a talk for a community group. What better way to develop, practice, and refine communication skills than to prepare a talk and present it to a group. The fear of speaking in public is usually ranked the #1 fear by most people. Those who achieve success in the health care industry will be those who develop strong communication skills to complement their outstanding technical skills. "Prepared Speaking" is a competitive event available to HOSA members who want to refine their communication skills.
  13. Participate in mock job interviews. Entry into any industry requires good interviewing skills. By participating in mock interviews (as either the interviewer of job applicant), members will be more successful in actual job interviews. The most talented job interviewers should enter the HOSA event called "Job Seeking Skills."
  14. Participate in HOSA Bowl competition. The "HOSA Bowl" competitive event is an excellent tool for reviewing classroom learning. The team nature of the event encourages students to work together to achieve success. The HOSA Bowl builds enthusiasm among the "teams" and demonstrates the positive effects of cmpetition. The most successful HOSA Bowl players should represent the chapter in district/state competition.
  15. Conduct a community awareness project. The community awareness project, a comprehensive HOSA team leadership competitive event, provides members with the opportunity to take a more intensive look at a critical health care issue. While classroom training builds a strong knowledge base, this project encourages linkage with the health care industry by organizing a Health Awareness Council to guide the project. By forming multiple project teams, all students can work on a project. If issues are selected and coordinated, the projects can encompass a variety of issues that fit the curriculum. The project presentations can first be given in class to refine them. The oral presentations (with audio-visual documentation) can be given at special events, i.e. a program for a civic trade group, an open house, or a school function. The rating sheets in the HOSA Handbook can be used to evaluate all projects and identify the project that will represent the chapter in district/state competition.
  16. Participate in a homecoming parade. This is an excellent activity to develop and reinforce the importance of working together in a cooperative manner. The steps in building a float for the homecoming parade include: identifying the theme for the parade; brainstorming the kinds of floats that could be built to emphasize the theme; selecting the most appropriate design for the float; securing the resources needed to build the float; determining what talents are needed; recruiting members to help design, build, and decorate the float; scheduling members to work; and, completing the project within the time parameters.
  17. Giving a party for handicapped children. Activities of this type will enhance the sensitivity of the students toward special populations. In addition to the good feelings in serving these children, your students will be able to plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate the activity. This activity emphasizes the importance of the health care team working together to serve the needs of others.
  18. Assisting in a blood donor drive. This is an activity that use technical training in the classroom and provides worthwhile service to the community. The organizational and technical skills of the students - collectively and individually - can be evaluated through such activities.
  19. Collecting funds for HOSA's National Service Project.   The National Service Project is an ideal project for HOSA.  The organization that HOSA sponsors is selected by the delegate assembly at the National Leadership Conference.  The organization changes every 2-3 years.
  20. Other HOE-HOSA Partnership projects include: