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A Retrospective Study of Orthoptic Students’ and Teaching Experience with the Introduction of Technology Promoting a Blended Learning Environment : Experiences with technology in a blended learning environment

ABSTRACT: Purpose: Evaluation of the students’ experience and academic achievements following the introduction of online learning. Methods and materials: In 2011, online learning activities were introduced in the teaching of the Research in Orthoptics module for final year undergraduate orthoptic students. The online learning activities were created and delivered in Moodle; an open-source online learning platform. Students from the academic year groups of 2012–13, 2013–14 and 2016–17 completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into 6 categories (relevance, reflection, interactivity, tutor support, peer support and interpretation) with 4 questions within each category. A 5-point Likert scale was used to score each question. The sum of answers within each category ranged from 4 (negative perception) to 20 (positive perception). Student performance was assessed using the marks retrospectively for 2 years before online learning was introduced and when online learning was included. Results: Forty-two students replied to the questionnaire with a mean age of 23.0 ± 2.3 years (range 21–32). There were 38 females (90.5%) and 4 males (9.5%). Combining the 3 academic cohorts there was a significant difference between the 6 categories of the questionnaire (p < 0.0001). Three categories obtained the same high median score of 16: relevance (range 9–20), reflection (range 11–20) and tutor support (range 12–20). Peer support resulted in the lowest median score of 13. Separation of the three academic year cohorts’ revealed significant differences for tutor support (p = 0.03). The score increased from 16 in 2012–13 and 2013–14 to 18 in 2016–17. Significant differences were found between the marks for the cohorts from 2009–10 to 2016–17 (F7,245 = 5.07: p < 0.0001). The mean mark for year group 2009–2010 was significantly less compared to 2012–13 (p < 0.0001), 2014–15 (p = 0.01) and 2015–16 (p = 0.02) and year group 2011–12’s mark significantly less than 2012/13 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Including online learning in the research module had a positive impact on the student experience, although more work needs to be done to improve peer support. Marks obtained by the orthoptic students have improved since the introduction of online learning suggesting that a mixture of teaching and learning methods is beneficial for students. However, more work needs to be done to provide teacher assistance in the design of online learning and blended learning approach.

SUBMITTER: Lanca C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7510253 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundNumerous studies have pointed out the need for better training of healthcare professionals in drug-drug interactions management in order to minimize adverse drugs reactions impacts on patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of a blended learning strategy based on peer evaluation (PE) for teaching drug-drug interactions to undergraduate pharmacy students.MethodsThird-year pharmacy students (n = 72) from the University of Limoges were involved in a hybrid teaching using the Moodle platform (2.9 version). After the theoretical lectures, an online activity was proposed to students. Each student submitted a report addressing a clinical case for peer evaluation. Students evaluated the pedagogical approach using an online survey. Quantitative benefits were assessed from students randomly assigned into two groups: PE in pharmacodynamics items (PE-PD) or PE in pharmacokinetics items (PE-PK). During this activity, three marks were given: one from peers for their evaluation work and two from teachers for oral group presentation of the clinical cases and for the final written examination. Statistics were performed using two-tailed unpaired t-test and significance was set for p < 0.05.ResultsOnly a few students (n = 14, 20.6%) were aware of the peer evaluation principle and even less, only one student (n = 1, 1.5%), had already encountered it. Students considered that they benefited from this evaluation (n = 65, 95.6%); from their work being reviewed (n = 62, 91.2%) and that they participated in improving their classmates understanding (n = 59, 86.8%). Peers' allocated marks were similar in the two PE groups (PE-PD = 17.4 ± 1.4; PE-PK = 17.3 ± 1.4). Teachers' marks for oral presentation were significantly lower for pharmacodynamics than for pharmacokinetics items (PE-PD = 15.2 ± 1.2; PE-PK = 16.1 ± 2.1; p < 0.05). The final examination marks were equivalent in both groups (PE-PD = 11.0 ± 2.1; PE-PK = 11.2 ± 1.9).ConclusionsBesides the fact that a major short-term quantitative improvement was not detected, our teaching approach was qualified as being a positive and stimulating learning tool by students.

Project description:BackgroundUniversities are in charge of training, educating, and preparing students for their future. Teaching and learning methods have a profound role in fulfilling this responsibility by universities. Examining teaching-learning experiences needs a proper tool to collect the information needed. The aim of this study was to collect validity evidence of the modified experiences of teaching-learning questionnaire (ETLQ) in Iranian nursing students.MethodsThe validation process was started by securing the required permissions from the designer of the tool. Then the tool was translated into Farsi using forward-backward method. After preparing a Farsi version of the tool, the content, response process, and internal structure assessment were checked and supported using qualified methods. To examine internal structure, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted for three sections of the scale with the participation of 278 nursing students. To examine the reliability of the tool, test-retest method was used and internal correlation was examined using Cronbach's alpha.ResultsThe EFA and CFA results confirmed the tool with three domains, seven factors and 33 items. The R2-index of the model was obtained equal to 0.99, which indicates that 99% of the changes in teaching-learning experiences are explained by the tool (33 items). The main indices in CFA were higher than 0.9, which indicates the goodness of fit of the model. Pearson correlation between the items and the subscales was significantly and directly related to the whole scale. Moreover, with Cronbach's alpha equal to 0.944 and test-retest result equal to 0.88, reliability of the Farsi version of modified ETLQ was supported.ConclusionThe results showed that the Farsi version of modified ETLQ had acceptable and applied indices to measure teaching-learning experiences in nursing students. The tool can be used as a valid tool in different fields of education in medical sciences.

Project description:BackgroundCommunication skills (CS) are vital for doctors. Indeed, as the most important element of consultations, are highly valued by patients. CS are core, teachable skills, however, have not been widely taught in South Asian medical schools, unlike their western counterparts. Patan Academy of Health Sciences, is one of the first in Nepal to have CS central to its' aims and curriculum. CS are taught from the first weeks of medical school and re-enforced during preclinical study (first 2 years). Our study seeks to explore students' perceptions and experiences of CS teaching in this South Asian, Nepal context.MethodsThis study is a qualitative evaluation of a CS course in Nepal, exploring the experiences and perceptions of participants. The study aims to also identify aspects that were helpful or not for student learning and areas for potential development. A purposive sample of twenty: second, fourth and Intern year students was selected for interview. Data were collected through audio recorded semi-structured interviews following a piloted schedule. Interview transcripts were manually coded and thematically analysed. Codes were arranged into themes and subthemes.ResultsThe two main themes: 1. Positivity 2. Experiential learning. Results demonstrate participants' positive perceptions of CS teaching: believing it is important, effective, relevant and valuable for personal development. Participants identified experiential learning features as valuable for CS acquisition. Intern students recognised CS relevance and requested expanding teaching to clinical years,incorporating challenging communication scenarios.DiscussionThis study shows that PAHS' CS course is well perceived and valuable to learners. Experiential learning is powerful for CS development. Expansion of formal, structured CS teaching through all years in a spiral curriculum, should be considered. Violence towards doctors in South Asia is increasing. Students recognised CS teaching's significance in addressing this.ConclusionCS teaching,still in its' infancy in South Asia, is a pressing issue for medical educators here. Our study provides evidence it is well perceived with positive impacts in this context, particularly when employing experiential learning. Medical schools in south Asia should be encouraged to incorporate and strengthen their CS teaching curriculum. .

Project description:Aim: Following changes in licensing regulations for doctors ("Approbationsordnung") in 2012, a 4-week clinical attachment ("Famulatur") in primary care is now mandatory for all medical students in Germany. To date, it has not been studied how the Famulatur in primary care is perceived by the learner or the teacher. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of both medical students and primary care physicians (PCPs) with regard to the teaching and learning situation in the Famulatur in primary care. Methods: A qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 12 students from the medical faculty in Tübingen, Germany, and 17 PCPs from this region, was performed. Interview material was analyzed following content analysis according to Mayring. Results: In addition to considering the variety of tasks expected of the students and the optimal time for the Famulatur during the medical curriculum, the main themes of the interviews were the strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement of the Famulatur. The Famulatur was predominantly perceived positively, although it being obligatory was criticized. In particular, the 1:1 supervision and the extended duration (compared to the first curricular primary care placement ("Blockpraktikum")) were positively evaluated. PCPs and students were critical of the lack of a learning and educational Famulatur framework, which would have enabled earlier orientation and alignment of each party. Conclusion: The Famulatur offers good learning opportunities for medical students and provides an insight into primary care, which is typically seen positively; it appears to heighten enthusiasm for primary care within budding doctors. Even if the obligation should cease in "The Master Plan for Medical Studies 2020" (Masterplan Medizinstudium 2020), it would be beneficial to optimize the primary care Famulatur; the development of a student logbook and learning objectives could be helpful, for example in the form of portfolios.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Clinical nursing education provides opportunities for students to learn in multiple patient care settings, receive appropriate guidance, and foster the development of clinical competence and professionalism. Nurse preceptors guide students to integrate theory into practice, teach clinical skills, assess clinical competencies, and enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Previous research has indicated that the teaching competencies of nurse preceptors can be transferred to students' clinical learning to enhance their clinical competencies. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to develop a clinical teaching blended learning (CTBL) program with the aid of web-based clinical pedagogy (WCP) and case-based learning for nurse preceptors and to examine the effectiveness of the CTBL program on nurse preceptors' clinical teaching competencies, self-efficacies, attitudes toward web-based learning, and blended learning outcomes. METHODS:A quasi-experimental single-group pretest and posttest design was adopted. A total of 150 nurse preceptors participated in the CTBL program, which was conducted from September 2019 to December 2019. A set of questionnaires, including the clinical teaching competence inventory, preceptor self-efficacy questionnaire, attitudes toward web-based continuing learning survey, and e-learning experience questionnaire, was used to assess the outcomes before and after the CTBL program. RESULTS:Compared with the baseline, the participants had significantly higher total mean scores and subdomain scores for clinical teaching competence (mean 129.95, SD 16.38; P<.001), self-efficacy (mean 70.40, SD 9.35; P<.001), attitudes toward web-based continuing learning (mean 84.68, SD 14.76; P<.001), and blended learning outcomes (mean 122.13, SD 14.86; P<.001) after the CTBL program. CONCLUSIONS:The CTBL program provides a comprehensive coverage of clinical teaching pedagogy and assessment strategies. The combination of the WCP and case-based approach provides a variety of learning modes to fit into the diverse learning needs of the preceptors. The CTBL program allows the preceptors to receive direct feedback from the facilitators during face-to-face sessions. Preceptors also gave feedback that the web-based workload is manageable. This study provides evidence that the CTBL program increases the clinical teaching competencies and self-efficacies of the preceptors and promotes positive attitudes toward web-based learning and better blended learning outcomes. The health care organization can consider the integration of flexible learning and intellect platforms for preceptorship education.

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A Retrospective Study of Orthoptic Students’ and Teaching Experience with the Introduction of Technology Promoting a Blended Learning Environment : Experiences with technology in a blended learning environment

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