Title: Values Exchange decision making software: fostering the inherent expert in us all.

Amanda B Lees & Dr. Rosemary Godbold, AUT University

What is it about?

AUT University’s  National Centre for Health Law and Ethics (NCHLE) has embraced web based technology as a way to help students develop critical thinking skills and to provide a framework for them to bring understanding and thoughtfulness to their practice.  Traditionally in practice, those with technical expertise are often the exclusive decision makers however we all have the individual capacity and ability to reason; to become ‘expert’ decision makers.

The Values Exchange, developed by AUT University’s Professor David Seedhouse, is an online communication tool which helps people understand each other and gain insight into how decisions are made. Using a series of interactive screens, individuals are able to think through any social issue in depth. As people respond to cases, the software generates comprehensive reports illuminating each person’s decision making process. By gaining insight into decision making people can gain a better understanding of the individual values that underpin the choices we make and as a result, opportunities arise for new, alternative ways to address important issues in practice.

The software is currently used within multidisciplinary health care ethics courses, however it has further potential for sharing interdisciplinary knowledge and research opportunities as well as equipping all users with the self confidence to make more thoughtful, thorough and justified decisions.

How will the session be run?

The session will begin with a brief overview of the software and the philosophy underpinning its development. Utilising the computer lab, we propose an interactive workshop where participants can use the software to explore a current social issue. Instant access to data will demonstrate the potential, within a one hour time frame to conduct informative educational research. It is hoped that participants will contribute to the session by talking about the strengths and weaknesses of this software and any particular potential it may have as a teaching, learning or research tool.