The Cole Middleton Group is dedicated to helping career schools thrive in a rapidly changing educational landscape. When a medical assistant career school approached us with the challenge of transitioning their traditional curriculum into a fully online program, we saw an opportunity to create a transformational learning experience. Leveraging our expertise and innovative tools like Sherpath, and Elsevier Evolve, we reimagined their approach to education. By combining adaptive learning technology with strategic implementation through the Infrastructure Canvas Learning Management System, we delivered a solution that enhanced student engagement, accessibility, and program outcomes.

Challenge: A medical assistant career school primarily used printed textbooks and in-person lectures to deliver the full medical assisting curriculum, including courses in anatomy, medical terminology, and patient communication. While effective for traditional learning, the approach limited accessibility, flexibility, and engagement for students with diverse learning needs.
Assessment: We conducted an in-depth review of the curriculum and identified areas for improvement, focusing on courses with high content density, such as "Introduction to Anatomy." The evaluation revealed that transitioning to an online platform could address key challenges, including student engagement and scalability while maintaining high educational standards.

Solution: Using Sherpath from Elsevier Evolve, and a range of active learning techniques suitable to online learning, we transformed the curriculum into a fully online program. Sherpath’s adaptive learning platform provided dynamic, personalized content, while the Infrastructure Canvas LMS guided the design and integration of digital learning components to ensure seamless implementation. Using active learning techniques such as Authentic Assessments, and highly interactive discussions we created a dynamic, student centered learning environment with high engagement,
Implementation:
Curriculum Conversion:
Textbook chapters were converted into interactive multimedia modules.
The "Introduction to Anatomy" course included 3D models of body systems, enabling students to explore anatomy visually.
Videos featuring medical professionals demonstrated real-world applications, such as taking vitals and effective patient communication.
Assessment Tools:
Integrated quizzes offered immediate feedback, helping students identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
Adaptive testing within Sherpath adjusted question difficulty based on individual performance, ensuring personalized learning paths.
Engagement Features:
Gamified elements, such as badges for completing modules, encouraged participation and progress tracking.
Discussion boards facilitated peer-to-peer interaction and instructor-led Q&A sessions.
Authentic Assessments were designed that provided students with "real world" project based learning to integrate all aspects of the weekly lessons.
Infrastructure Support:
The Utilizing Canvas LMS ensured that the program was supported by robust technological and instructional frameworks.
Faculty were trained to effectively manage online tools and deliver virtual lectures, enhancing the overall learning experience.

Projected Outcomes: The transition to a fully online is just beginning, but these sre some of the improvements that we will be tracking:
Increased Student Engagement:Â The interactive modules and multimedia content are designed to boost student participation by 40% compared to traditional lectures.
Higher Retention Rates:Â Improved student learning of difficult concepts builds confidence and thanks to adaptive learning and immediate feedback, students attendance improves.
Expanded Accessibility:Â The online program allow students to learn at their own pace, accommodating working professionals and those with other commitments. This also reduces attrition owing to excessive absenteeism.
Enhanced Competitiveness:Â The school can attract a broader range of students by offering a cutting-edge, flexible learning solution that aligns with industry trends.
Through the integration of Sherpath and Elsevier Evolve, supported by a well-structured Infrastructure Canvas LMS, the medical assistant school successfully modernized its curriculum. This transformation not only met the needs of today's learners but also positioned the institution as a leader in career education.
The success of this project highlights the Cole Middleton Group's commitment to driving innovation in career education. By transitioning the medical assistant program to a modern, fully online format, we empowered the school to meet the needs of today’s learners while maintaining the highest standards of education. The projected results—enhanced student participation, improved retention, and increased competitiveness—demonstrate the potential impact of our tailored solutions. This case study reflects the Cole Middleton Group's expertise in helping career schools embrace digital transformation and achieve lasting success.
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