Development of a group work assessment pedagogy using constructive alignment theory

The purpose of this paper is to explore group work assessment underpinned by constructive alignment theory to develop a new assessment pedagogy. A review was undertaken of an existing module ‘Mental Health Nursing 1’, with student nurses participating in the BSc (Hons) Nursing Programme. Constructive alignment theory requires teachers to adopt a deep approach to learning where module learning outcomes are aligned with the teaching environment and modes of assessment. As the module progressed, reviewing the Mental Health Nursing 1 module became an excellent opportunity to begin to understand how constructive alignment theory can inform a group work assessment pedagogy. Working using a constructively aligned assessment process became a valuable learning experience for the module leader whilst at the same time revealed a gap in the research around the impact of constructively aligned teaching and group work assessment

Ambulatory teaching: Do approaches to learning predict the site and preceptor characteristics valued by clerks and residents in the ambulatory setting?

BACKGROUND: In a study to determine the site and preceptor characteristics most valued by clerks and residents in the ambulatory setting we wished to confirm whether these would support effective learning. The deep approach to learning is thought to be more effective for learning than surface approaches. In this study we determined how the approaches to learning of clerks and residents predicted the valued site and preceptor characteristics in the ambulatory setting. METHODS: Postal survey of all medical residents and clerks in training in Ontario determining the site and preceptor characteristics most valued in the ambulatory setting. Participants also completed the Workplace Learning questionnaire that includes 3 approaches to learning scales and 3 workplace climate scales. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the preferred site and preceptor characteristics as the dependent variables by the average scores of the approaches to learning and perception of workplace climate scales as the independent variables. RESULTS: There were 1642 respondents, yielding a 47.3% response rate. Factor analysis revealed 7 preceptor characteristics and 6 site characteristics valued in the ambulatory setting. The Deep approach to learning scale predicted all of the learners' preferred preceptor characteristics (β = 0.076 to β = 0.234, p < .001). Valuing preceptor Direction was more strongly associated with the Surface Rational approach (β = .252, p < .001) and with the Surface Disorganized approach to learning (β = .154, p < 001) than with the Deep approach. The Deep approach to learning scale predicted valued site characteristics of Office Management, Patient Logistics, Objectives and Preceptor Interaction (p < .001). The Surface Rational approach to learning predicted valuing Learning Resources and Clinic Set-up (β = .09, p = .001; β = .197, p < .001). The Surface Disorganized approach to learning weakly negatively predicted Patient Logistics (β = -.082, p = .003) and positively the Learning Resources (β = .088, p = .003). Climate factors were not strongly predictive for any studied characteristics. Role Modeling and Patient Logistics were predicted by Supportive Receptive climate (β = .135, p < .001, β = .118, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Most site and preceptor characteristics valued by clerks and residents were predicted by their Deep approach to learning scores. Some characteristics reflecting the need for good organization and clear direction are predicted by learners' scores on less effective approaches to learning

MOOC design – Dissemination to the masses or facilitation of social learning and a deep approach to learning?

This article accounts for the design of the massive open online course (MOOC) Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy tales on FutureLearn and reports on the effectiveness of this design in terms of engaging learners in social learning and encouraging a deep approach to learning. A learning pathway was designed that provided learners with relevant knowledge, allowed them to practice their analysis skills and provided model responses. In the first run of the MOOC, a light facilitation approach was used to motivate and engage learners. In the second run, this was supplemented with live Q & A sessions and increased educator feedback. Course data show that that some learners use the space provided for social interaction and mutual support. A learning pathway that engages learners in discussion and progression from week to week facilitates a deep approach to learning. However, this requires more support from the educators and the course host

Metacognitive Knowledge and Skills in Students with Deep Approach to Learning. Evidence from Mathematical Problem Solving

Student approaches to learning and metacognitive strategies are two important conditioning factors in solving mathematical problems. The evidence suggests that it is the deep approach to learning which leads to student success in such tasks. The present study focused on analyzing the differences in metacognitive knowledge and skills in a sample of 524 fifth and sixth grade students divided into three groups based on their different levels of use of a deep a pproach (241 = low; 152 = medium; and 131 = high). Metacognitive knowledge was assessed using the Learning Strategies Knowledge Questionnaire, while evidence about metacognitive skills was gathered by means of process measures (Triple Tasks Procedure) during students’ solving of two mathematical word problems. Statistically significant differences in metacognitive knowledge were found among groups while differences in metacognitive skills were only found in the second task, with a low effect size.; El enfoque de aprendizaje y las estrategias metacognitivas son importantes condicionantes en la resolución de problemas matemáticos. La investigación ha puesto de relevancia que el enfoque profundo de aprendizaje dirige al estudiante al éxito en la ejecución de estas tareas. Este trabajo ha pretendido analizar las diferencias en el conocimiento y habilidades metacognitivas de 524 estudiantes de quinto y sexto de primaria clasificados en tres grupos en función del nivel de uso del enfoque profundo (241 = bajo; 152 = medio; 131 = alto). El conocimiento metacognitivo fue evaluado con el cuestionario de conocimiento de estrategias de aprendizaje, y las habilidades metacog nitivas con medidas del proceso (Triple Tarea) durante la resolución de dos problemas matemáticos. Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el conocimiento metacognitivo y, en las habilidades metacognitivas en la segunda tarea con un bajo tamaño del efecto

Machiavellian Ways to Academic Cheating:A Mediational and Interactional Model

Academic cheating has become a pervasive practice from primary schools to university. This study aims at investigating this phenomenon through a nomological network which integrates different theoretical frameworks and models, such as trait and social-cognitive theories and models regarding the approaches to learning and contextual/normative environment. Results on a sample of more than 200 Italian university students show that the Amoral Manipulation facet of Machiavellianism, Academic Moral Disengagement, Deep Approach to Learning, and Normative Academic Cheating are significantly associated with Individual Academic Cheating. Moreover, results show a significant latent interaction effect between Normative Academic Cheating and Amoral Manipulation Machiavellianism: “amoral Machiavellians” students are more prone to resort to Academic Cheating in contexts where Academic Cheating is adopted as a practice by their peers, while this effect is not significant in contexts where Academic Cheating is not normative. Results also show that Academic Moral Disengagement and Deep Approach to learning partially mediate the relationship between Amoral Manipulation and Academic Cheating. Practical implications of these results are discussed

Effect of active learning techniques on students’ choice of approach to learning in Dentistry: a South African case study

The purpose of this article is to report on empirical work, related to a techniques module, undertaken with the dental students of the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. I will relate how a range of different active learning techniques (tutorials; question papers and mock tests) assisted students to adopt a deep approach to learning in this large diverse group of students. They then completed an adapted version of the revised study process questionnaire which focussed on the effects of these active learning techniques and how these learning techniques assisted with a change in approach to learning adopted by them. Results indicated that the active learning techniques led to a better understanding of the concepts covered within the module. It also showed how the new exercises guided them to adopt a deep approach to learning. It can be concluded that with this type of educational research, students’ learning difficulties are not just emphasized and highlighted but that these problems are also understood. This research also guided the educator to search for practical solutions to these observed difficultiesDHE

Integration of computer technology into the medical curriculum: The King's experience

King's College London has developed a new curriculum which prepares students to deliver a high‐quality clinical service. A variety of active‐learning techniques are utilized to produce a deep approach to learning with an emphasis on vocational needs in the domains of knowledge, attitudes and skills. Integration of academic and clinical studies, as recommended by the General Medical Council (GMC), poses a number of difficulties, particularly in terms of communication between disparate geographical sites. The new curriculum aims to take advantage of computer technology to supplement and enhance traditional methods of learning and to ensure that students are competent in a defined range of skills. To aid integration, all students joining the new course are offered notebook computers and enhanced access to desktop computers, both with facilities to link to the main network This allows students to use multimedia material incorporated into the new curriculum and to access online services from remote locations. This paper reviews the integration of such computer technology into the new medical curriculum at King's

学びの深さを志向する学級における教師の〈結び付ける力〉の分析：文学教材の読みをめぐる学習者の変容を通して

The purpose of this study was to examine the research hypothesis that teachers’ competence of “bonding” is important regarding its orientation to the depth of learning.We analyzed how learners’ comparative reading changed in literary texts for students in the fifth grade of elementary school.We use three genealogies of the depth of learning as an analysis framework: “deep understanding,” “deep approach to learning,” and “deep engagement.”First, the teacher designed the unit based on “bonding” educational content research with the actual situation of the learners in order for the learners to experience a “deep understanding.”Second, when learners experience a “deep understanding,” concepts and principles can be used in other contexts, and that experience will create a scaffolding for a “deep approach to learning,” in which they pursue their own meaning.Third, “deep engagement” is further strengthened by “bonding,” “deep understanding,” and a “deep approach to learning.”As described above, it was found that teacher’s competence of “bonding” with “deep understanding,” “deep approach to learning,” and “deep engagement” improved the social capital and cultural capital of learners.論