Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty Taeok Park, Ph.D., has received a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning University Research Grant (URG) from the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University.
Park will conduct the project titled “Learning Biofeedback for Dysphagia Rehabilitation in Speech-Language Pathology Students.” The purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of hands-on learning of biofeedback on students’ clinical knowledge, competence, and preparedness for swallowing rehabilitation. Her research team includes Kathleen McMillion, who is a first-year speech-language pathology graduate student. McMillion will participate in the data collection session and assist in analyzing data.
Park teaches the swallowing disorder classes (CSD 414, 420) at the graduate level in speech-language pathology. These courses are designed to prepare future speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to assess and rehabilitate patients with dysphagia (swallowing disorders) in order to provide effective management strategies for these patients. In order to provide effective management, the biofeedback for swallowing exercises is a critical component of rehabilitation.
For this project, students explore and practice a variety of biofeedback methods such as the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). These participating students will experience increased clinical competence in working with patients with swallowing disorders.
Park hopes that the findings from her research will contribute to developing teaching and learning methods for students in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In addition, she would like to conduct more Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects in her undergraduate courses.
