Christy Jefson receives health education technology award
Released: October 2, 2007
College students' lives are overrun by technology these days. Laptops, MP3s, PS3s, you name it they have to have it. With advances like these, how can teachers compete with technology for student's attention? As the old saying goes, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Cristy Jefson, assistant professor in the department of health, physical education, recreation and coaching, was honored this summer for doing just that. Jefson received the Health Education Directory's Technology Award for 2007, an award recognizing a health educator or a group who has made outstanding contributions or who has transformed the profession of health education through technology. Jefson's work was centered on a PowerPoint slideshow teaching students about epidemiology, revealing ways students could track the origin of illnesses.
"I was thrilled to be selected as their national award winner as there are many qualified individuals across the country who are doing amazing things with technology," Jefson said. "I am not a "techie" but rather someone with expertise in health education that is very interested in pairing health with technology."
The audio and visual effectiveness of Jefson's presentation allowed the students to create their own learning experience, leaving it up to them to answer many of the questions involved in the lesson.
Jefson understands how hard projects with technology can be, and shares some closing advice for students who face technological issues. "When I have a creative idea about how to use technology in conjunction with health education, I work with the LTC staff on our campus to achieve my goals." She added, "I believe I provide my students with meaningful, creative, and engaging health education lessons through the effective use of technology."
- Kyle Kopplin,kopplinka01@uww.edu
