The introduction and refinement of the assessment of digitally recorded audio presentations

This case study critically evaluates benefits and challenges of a form of assessment included in a final year undergraduate Religious Studies Open University module, which combines a written essay task with a digital audio recording of a short oral presentation. Based on the analysis of student and tutor feedback and sample assignments, this study critically examines how teaching and learning practices linked to this novel form of assessment have been iteratively developed in light of the project findings over a period of two years. It concludes that while this form of assessment poses a number of challenges, it can create valuable opportunities for the development of transferable twenty-first-century graduate employability skills as well as deep, effective learning experiences, particularly – though not exclusively – in distance learning settings

Assessment consolidates undergraduate students’ learning of community-based education

Background. Community-based education (CBE) is an empirical education experience that shifts clinical education from traditional to community settings to provide health sciences students with meaningful learning opportunities. However, assessing the effectiveness of these learning opportunities is a challenge.Objectives. To describe the methods used for assessment of CBE by the various disciplines in the School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa, and to determine how they were aligned to the anticipated learning outcomes. Methods. This qualitative study consisted of a purposively selected sample of 9 academics who participated in audio-taped interviews and focus group discussions, with the data being thematically analysed. Ethical approval was obtained from UKZN.Results. The disciplines in the School of Health Sciences used various assessment methods, ranging from simple tests, assignments and case presentations to more complex clinical assessments, blogging and portfolio assessments. Multiple methods were required to meet the anticipated learning outcomes of CBE, as a single assessment would not achieve this.Conclusion. The study findings indicated that assessment plays an important role in consolidating student learning at CBE sites, with multiple assessment methods being required to achieve graduate competencies in preparation for the workplace. Choice of assessment methods must be contextual and fit for purpose to allow for overall student development

Service user involvement in an undergraduate nursing programme

This article highlights the impacts that service user involvement can have on the education of UK undergraduate student mental health nurses both personally and professionally. It reports the findings from a short module evaluation of a collaboratively delivered theory unit using a qualitative approach. It reports the findings from a short module evaluation of a collaboratively delivered theory unit using a qualitative approach embracing two focus groups. The findings from the two focus groups highlight that the service user input (‘expert by experience’) offered a positive learning experience for the students, enabled them to appreciate the meaning of recovery and hope, facilitated the identification as to the importance of their role in terms of connecting meaningfully with those they are supporting plus reconsidering key priorities for practice. They suggest also that there is theory/practice gap reduction as students were able to connect the service user narratives to the evidence base for deeper understanding and application. Although only a brief evaluation of a short theory module within a wider mental health programme including a limited number of students, the findings echo the wider literature and offer further rationale to support direct service user involvement in mental health education across other professions, perhaps interesting at this time as increasingly, learning/teaching programmes implement blended learning with significant online teaching and less face to face facilitation of learning. This article highlights the positive impact not only of service user input into healthcare education but also the benevolent influence skilled narratives can have as a pedagogical approach for learning. Although there is much in the literature as to the benefits for student learning in involving service users within HEI education, there is limited information as to ‘how’ and ‘why’ this is the case, this article seeks to bridge that ga

New media and self-directed learning : enhancing pedagogical transformation in an open distance learning landscape

Modern technological innovations are constantly seen throughout every aspect of life, and higher education is no exception. To this end, this article sheds some light on the types of and pedagogical value of new media adopted by academics to promote self-directed learning at the University of South Africa. The study answers the following questions: Which new media approaches have been adopted by academics to enhance self-directed learning? What is the pedagogical value of new media in an ODL environment? A qualitative approach was employed and data was collected through face-to-face interviews with 30 purposively selected Unisa academics. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model was found relevant to this study. Thematic categorisation was employed for data analysis. The findings depict that a variety of new media have been adopted to promote self-directed learning at Unisa. The study also found that new media are playing a pivotal role in promoting self-directed learning in an ODL landscape. It is therefore important to note that new media have emerged as strong catalysts in fostering pedagogical transformation.College of EducationM. Ed (Open and Distance Learning

An Evaluation of Tertiary Educators’ Perception of Online Teaching Related Ergonomic Factors

The Aim of this research was to identify and assess ergonomic factors that affected educators in minerals, mining engineering and other educators’ experience with online teaching. Noise, insufficient time to complete all teaching related work, and lack of interaction with students were the main barriers identified. There was minimal difference in factors between minerals, mining engineering, and other educators’ experiences. Having good physical, organisational, cognitive, social, and environmental ergonomic factors facilitated online educators’ work

Workshop 47. The Future of consulting: Impact of changing practice on our cognitive load as experts and educators & insights into the novice perspective

Objectives1) To consider current & future impact of remote consulting & the covid pandemic on our cognitive load as clinical reasoning ‘experts’ 2) To consider & reflect on the insights this has provided us as clinicians & educators into the student perspective (clinical reasoning ‘novices’) & their clinical reasoning development 3) To analyse delegates’ own experiences where this & similar transformative learning experiences could be deployed to drive effective learning 4) To recognise & describe the impact on traditional curricula structures

Assessing Quality Simulated Participant Programs: A Case Study of Bond University’s Simulated Participant Program

Assessing the quality of Simulated Participant Programs (SPPs) has long been a challenge for health professions faculty. A number of frameworks exist to determine markers of quality in SPPs, such as the Association of Standardised Patient Educators (ASPE) Standards of Best Practice (SOBP) and the UK Simulated Patient Common Framework (Lewis et al, 2017; Gough et al., 2015). Both frameworks present domains for assessing quality in the areas of working environments, program management, training, risk assessment and other quality assurance issues. This abstract presents the review of the Bond UniversitySimulated Participant Program in 2021 and 2022, which utilised the UK Simulated Patient Common Framework.ResultsOver the course of the review, the Bond University Participant Program demonstrated significant improvement between the first and second reviews. In 2021, the 5 domains (Resource considerations, recruitment and selection process, training requirements, risk assessments and quality assurance procedures) were either not met or partially met. In 2022, 4 out of 5 domains were met, with one area remaining partially met - challenges remain with regards to issues of ensuring staff diversity and minimising stereotypes.ConclusionsThe framework was a useful tool for evaluating the quality benchmarks of an SPP, however, there were gaps in the framework that present opportunities for the simulation and health professions community to explore

Oral 13. Unconscious Bias Training for our Simulated Patients: Showcasing a new and innovative workshop

Oral Presentation objectives1) To develop awareness of our innovative workshop delivered to our Simulated Patients to increase their understanding of unconscious biases, how these might impact their work as Simulated Patients in our teaching and assessments and to equip them with skills to challenge and interrogate their automatic thinking. 2) To consider Simulated patient feedback and reflections and my own critical reflections on the Workshop.3) To share best practice with delegates regarding their own experiences of developing Unconscious Bias training to Simulated Patients / other groups in their own institutions