First Aid Trainer of Trainers Course with The Gulf Medical University
November 08 2021
The Global First Aid Reference Centre and the IFRC Gulf Country Cluster Delegation successfully organized a blended-learning trainer of trainers (ToT) and trainer course for the Gulf Medical University (GMU) in Ajman, starting end of September and ending end of November 2021. The course was aimed to clinical lecturer, professors, doctors and medical students, to equip them with our International Guidelines and first aid pedagogy. With the aim to spread first aid knowledge and practice, this training will help develop a first aid program for the community, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates.
“By the end of this training, I will be prepared to contribute towards the voluntary and humanitarian services provided during the time of crisis.”
Ms. Sija Bioy, GMU ToT participant
An experience of blended-learning in first aid education
A ToT course focus on developing skills and knowledge, as well as expanding the participants coaching and mentoring abilities, which will be critical when supporting first aid trainer candidates. Normally, the course is conducted for 35 hours over five days but due to COVID-19, the plan was modified. The GFARC opted for a blended learning approach, the first-ever for this course, which mixed different levels of trainer.
Preparatory work has been sent to the learners and the team has held an introduction call. Participants needed also to complete an asynchronous online course to have the fundamentals of instructions.
The first part which is the synchronous online virtual course (4 afternoons via Zoom), helped the participants and the trainers to meet and get introduced to each other, as well as setting the foundation for the “face to face” experience (5 days), with sessions and micro teaching segments as well (online and in-person). All of the course were held in an interactive way, even online and provide participants tips to organize remote courses, practice mirror-demonstration and active pedagogy. Resources on instructional techniques, learner-centered education or on how to provide a first aid course were shared with the participants. Moreover, a review/assessment session that was added at the start of the in person part, to have the most tailor-made possible course.
Finally, candidates were also evaluated on a teaching experience, which consists of providing different sequences to medical students, in a dynamic way, avoiding displaying presentation. The teaching team could review the criteria on live by distance and evaluate participants on their communication, use of technics and content.
“The quality & standards of the GFARC are so high because of the team’s efforts. Everyone is helping & mentoring us. The team has been with us from the beginning guiding and supporting us”
Ms. Sandhya Arun, GMU ToT participant
A devoted team and learners
The training was delivered by GFARC International Master Educator’s members: Rolla Mansour (Lebanese Red Cross), Kathy Sampson and Hugo Surprenant (Canadian Red Cross) whom we can’t thank enough for their investment and effort. They worked on course design and implementation for several months despite time difference and heavy workload. In addition, we would like to thank the participants selected by the University. They were very committed and experienced; we have admired their passion and dedication to first aid education.
Thanks to this project, the 8 selected university participants are certified trainers and ToT in addition to other 20 medical students who got to be certified as First Aiders. We can’t be more proud of each of them and we will be waiting for their stories in saving lives and training the community!
“The teamwork between our trainers helping each other is amazing, I am proud of this training”
Dr. Fawzi Amin, Head of IFRC Gulf Country Cluster Delegation
