scholarly journals Evaluating the introduction of team-based learning in a pharmacy consultation skills module

2020 ◽  
pp. 151-157
Author(s):  
Simon Tweddell

The learning and teaching strategy for a pharmacy consultation skills module was changed to Team-Based Learning (TBL) with the aim of motivating students to engage with course material pre-class and take deeper approaches to learning during class. Results from administering a validated TBL instrument suggests that students are more accountable and are satisfied with and have preference for TBL over traditional methods. Exam results show a 13% improvement in mean end-of- year examinations compared with pre-TBL results. Thematic analysis of written comments on the module evaluation survey suggest that they enjoyed learning using TBL and found it more engaging, stimulating and more effective for their learning; however, it could be improved through better management of workshop timings and more effective facilitation of discussion. TBL appears to have potential as a pedagogic approach in pharmacy education.

Author(s):  
Rachel Maxwell ◽  
Roshni Khatri

This chapter showcases how the collaborative learning and teaching strategy known as Team-Based Learning™ (TBL) can deliver against the conceptual components within active blended learning (ABL), through exploration of different case studies from the authors' university. It begins by detailing the core concepts and theories underpinning each pedagogic approach before considering how adoption of TBL is consistent with the wider implementation of ABL. Case histories are used to highlight how these approaches enhance the student learning experience and how learning technologies can enable staff to do more of what they value within the classroom. The value of different learning spaces to facilitate TBL and augment the learning experience for both staff and students is considered. Finally, the chapter explores some of the more difficult questions around the lack of broader uptake of TBL within an institution committed to ABL as its standard approach to learning and teaching.


Author(s):  
Laura Claire Bissell

Feedback by tutors to students on their written assignments is most frequently given via written comments and occasionally through a one-to-one tutorial. Recent developments in screen-casting technology have allowed students to receive feedback in MP4 video format where they are guided through their assignment visually and aurally by the tutor. This paper disseminates the pilot of screen-casting as a technology-enhanced feedback mode in a performing arts HEI. The aim of this limited but focussed research was to explore alternative ways of providing feedback to students and to engage with a range of approaches to learning and assessment. This paper reflects on the potential of screen-casting technology as a feedback mode for written work to provide extensive aural and visual feedback and suggests other possible applications in other areas of learning and teaching.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Ha ◽  
B Kemp ◽  
M Wallace

Abstract Background University education in Australia and internationally involves teaching diverse students: in terms of age, life experience, previous degrees completed, and level of English competency. In Australia the Bachelors of Public Health (BPH) at The University of Wollongong, epidemiology is a core subject. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to design, critique and interpret studies that investigate why different populations experience different health outcomes. A student-centred learning strategy; Hybrid Team Based Learning and Personalised Education teaching strategy (HTBL-PE) was created to maximise academic success. Each phase has a distinct purpose based on learning theories (e.g. TBL, Bloom's taxonomy and Vygotsky). HTBL-PE aims to systematically build students abilities; strengthen self-confidence and belief, by teaching the way students learn and harnessing the capabilities of the team to strengthen the individual. Objectives HTBL-PE was evaluated in spring 2019 in the BPH, where their experiences at the beginning and end of semester were measured. Results In total 73 out of 84 enrolled students provided data at both time-points (87%). At the end of the semester, the vast majority of students indicated their interest in epidemiology had increased (93%), critical thinking had improved (92%), and confidence as independent learners had increased (86%). Outcomes did not differ significantly by gender or across learning styles. More than two thirds of students had already applied learnings from this subject in other settings (67%). Students' final mark for this subject was significantly higher than their Weighted Average Mark (WAM) prior to the semester (+17.4, p < 0.001). Average scores for the subject were > 84/100 with a < 0.5% failure rate. Conclusions HTBL-PE has positive learning outcomes; low failure rates, increased confidence in learning and themselves, increased interest in epidemiology and high overall scores in the subject. Key messages An effective new innovative teaching strategy resulted in a subject average score > 84/100 and <0.5% failure rate. The vast majority of students reported increased confidence as independent lifelong learners, critical thinking, confidence in epidemiology (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) and themselves.


2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-5
Author(s):  
Jennifer Hurst-Kennedy

Team-based learning (TBL) is structured, cooperative learning teaching strategy used in a variety of disciplines. TBL uses a three-step approach for delivering content to students: out-of-class preparation, readiness assurance, and application. In this article, a method for incorporating TBL into an undergraduate cell biology course using cystic fibrosis (CF) as a theme is described. Class content is divided into modules. Each module consists of (1) out-of-class video viewing and reading assignments; (2) individual and team assessments, mini-lectures, and think-pair-share activities to assess understanding of the material; and (3) in-class, group problem sets related to the molecular pathogenesis of CF. Although originally designed for an introductory undergraduate cell biology course, this curriculum can be easily adapted for upper-level undergraduate and high school students.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Zeynep Genc

Instruction materials help students to acquire more memorable information. Instruction materials have an important effect on providing more permanent and simple way of learning in every step of education. Instruction materials are the most frequently used by primary school teachers. Primary school teachers should support their lectures with instruction materials in order to provide permanent learning. The Teaching Technologies and Material Designing (TTMD) course which is one of the compulsory courses that students must take aims to acquire students the information and skills related with the preparation and use of materials. Evaluation of TTMD course is important in terms of the effectiveness of the course which provides the opportunity of motivating the students to learn by attracting their attention, keeping their attentions alive, making abstract concepts more concrete, facilitating the acquisition of knowledge in an organized way in the process of learning and teaching. In this context, it was aimed to determine the opinions of students in the department of primary school teaching about preparation and use of materials through teaching practice which is done within TTMD course in this study. This study is a descriptive study based on qualitative data. The sample of this research included 37 students from the department of primary school teaching who took TTMD course in the second semester in 2014-2015 academic year at Ataturk Education Faculty of Near East University or students who took this course in previous academic years. The data of this research were collected with structured interview form. According to the results, it was revealed that primary school teachers’ candidates attach importance to prepare and use materials based on their answers about the use and preparation of materials in instruction. When the opinions of primary school teachers candidates about the criteria that they give value in preparing and using materials, it was figured out that they emphasize the criteria such as suitability for student level, suitability for aim, simplicity and easy comprehensibility. Furthermore, the results indicated that primary school teachers’ candidates mostly experience difficulty in finding suitable materials and tools for the aim. It was also revealed that the majority of primary school teachers’ candidates stated that they will use materials and a few of them indicated that they will not use materials since they find materials as insufficient based on their answers about the question asking if they will use the materials which they prepared in TTMD course when they begin teaching profession. Keywords: primary school, primary teaching candidates, teaching technologies and material designing (TTMD) course, material design, instruction materials


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-89
Author(s):  
Astrid Schmidhofer ◽  
Enrique Cerezo Herrero ◽  
Melita Koletnik

The teaching of foreign languages to students in Translation and Interpreting (TI) programmes should be framed within the field of Language for Specific Purposes (LSP). This would make it possible to pinpoint specific curricular content and methodological traits that contribute to the enhancement of the communicative competence and initial development of TI competences. This paper analyses the students’ perspectives on L2 teaching in a TI programme and how it should be undertaken to best comply with the linguistic demands imposed by translation and interpreting. A thematic analysis of 117 open questionnaires returned by students from Austria, Slovenia and Spain identified five areas to which the students attribute particular importance, and which should be considered when developing TI-oriented curricula.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Nixon ◽  
Katya Henry

After a successful proof of concept to expand the university’s commitment to Open Educational Resources (OER), a pilot program was launched to facilitate the adaptation and development of Open Textbooks by academic staff for students as well as broader audiences. The pilot involved the use of the publishing platform Pressbooks as a mechanism to raise awareness of Open Educational Resources, and to provide a university-supported tool with which to develop Open Textbooks. Commencing in Semester 2, 2020, participants in the pilot received vendor training from Pressbooks, as well as support from learning and teaching and library staff. Pilot participants used the Pressbooks platform in a number of ways. Academics created textbooks as course material in a single unit, academics adapted open textbooks for Australian contexts over a number of units, and academics created open textbooks based on their research and not for a specific unit of study. Of the 13 pilot participants, five open textbooks were created, with one still in development. Responses to the pilot were mixed. Student feedback on the use of Pressbooks indicates that they enjoyed the structured and easy-to-read course material. Other students expressed frustration with the higher workload expectations of consuming material online prior to participating in synchronous classes. Students appreciated the zero cost of engaging with an open textbook. Academic feedback was also mixed, with some appreciating the flexibility and engagement that they can achieve in Pressbooks. Others were discouraged by the amount of time spent on creating material for little perceived benefit. The majority of academic staff who developed a textbook using Pressbooks would like to continue to use the platform.


10.28945/4393 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 331-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibongile S Simelane-Mnisi ◽  
Andile Mji

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether the effectiveness of the Technology-engagement Teaching Strategy using personal response systems with student’s approaches to learning will increase the pass rate in the Mathematics course Background: The challenge in this study was to develop the learning activities that accommodate individual differences and diversity in learning. Furthermore, Studies investigating students’ approaches to learning have mostly done this in a face-to-face learning environment as opposed to incorporate exploration thereof when integrating educational technology. Methodology: A mixed method approach was used. The basis of using this method was a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches which gives a clearer understanding of research problems than either approach alone. Participants were 240 students registered for Mathematics II at a study University of Technology in South Africa. Purposeful, convenience and simple random sampling were used to select the participants. Contribution: No study that has investigated the utility of personal response systems with students’ approaches to learning is currently available as observed by the researcher. In this case, the combination of the two variables in this study makes it unique and therefore important in contributing to the body of knowledge focusing on the role of technology in pedagogy. Findings: The results showed that while the majority of students followed the Strategic Approach the same Technology-engagement Teaching Strategy was used for students following Surface Approaches. The Technology-engagement Teaching Strategy was developed in such a manner to accommodate students following different approaches. The personal response system continuous assessments, as well as the semester test, revealed the improvement in academic performance as well as the increase in mathematics pass rates. It was also found that using personal response system enhances students’ mathematical communication skills, and helps to develop the skills needed to write and read mathematical proofs. Recommendations for Practitioners: It is recommended that academics take into consideration the students approaches to learning in their teaching practices. It is crucial that lecturers take advantage of technology to enhance their teaching practices and decrease the fear of the unknown and open up to new innovations in teaching. Recommendation for Researchers: It is recommended that the use of personal response systems should be explored in different mathematics settings (different lectures and universities). Such an exploration according to the researcher will be useful in endorsing what has been reported in this paper. Impact on Society: The results revealed that the Strategic Approach was the most dominant among the participants in this study. The results also showed the improvement in students’ academic performance as well as the number of students who passed increased. Future Research: A further research study could be conducted with students in a different discipline where poor academic performance is experienced.


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