Comparing alternate learning pathways within a problem-based learning speech-language pathology curriculum

Purpose: This qualitative study investigated the learning process for speech-language pathology (SLP) students engaging in a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum and compared the perspectives of students from two pathways.

Method: Sixteen final-year SLP students participated in one of four focus groups. Half the participants entered the course directly via an undergraduate pathway and the other half entered via a graduate entry pathway. Each focus group comprised two students from each pathway. Data were generated via a semi-structured interview and analysed thematically.

Result: Regardless of participants’ pathway, many similar themes about factors that influenced their expectations prior to PBL commencing as well as their actual PBL experiences were raised. Participants believed that PBL was a productive way to learn and to develop clinical competencies. Many were critical of variations in PBL facilitation styles and were sensitive to changes in facilitators. The majority of participants viewed experiential opportunities to engage in PBL prior to commencement of semester as advantageous.

Conclusion: Combining students with different backgrounds has many advantages to the PBL learning process. Regardless of prior experiences, all students must be sufficiently prepared. Furthermore, the facilitator has a crucial role with the potential to optimise or detract from the learning experience.     

The portfolioworkbook as a strategy for student-centred learning

This paper describes the portfolioworkbook as a strategy to support student-centred learning in nurse education. The portfolio workbook combines the use of reflection on prior experiences, forward planning to meet identified course outcomes, critical incident analysis and a reflective journal to ensure the integration of theory with practice. This enables the student, rather than the teacher, to control the educative process, and thus develops the skills of autonomy and decision-making envisaged in the development of Project 2000 courses.In using a weekly add-on format, the workbook provides a comprehensive record of the student's learning, whilst at the same time monitoring progress and facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills. The use of reflective practice from the beginning of the course, and reinforced throughout, enables the student to internalize the process as a way of identifying and managing their own learning needs.The author concludes that this strategywould be appropriate for all types of nurse learners; however, a precondition for this is an espousal and commitment by teachers to student-centred philosophies and methods of learning.     

Problem-based learning in a new Canadian curriculum

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a method of group learning that uses true-to-life problems as a stimulus for students to learn problem-solving skills and acquire knowledge about the basic and clinical sciences. This article documents the design and implementation of PBL in a second year course in the new curriculum of the University of Ottawa School of Nursing's Generic Program. The learning and teaching experiences of students and facilitators in this PBL course are described. As a way to determine students' perception of their learning using PBL, they were asked to respond to four questions. The most frequently described thinking processes were problem solving, nursing process and group process. When asked to describe the learning they derived from PBL, as differentiated from other instructional methods, students identified group process and problem solving most often. The most frequently identified factors that influenced performance and learning in PBL were positive attitude and group effort. The factors that affected the facilitators' performance of their role were large group size, insufficient practice of facilitator skills and PBL preparation. To enhance group process, facilitators modelled and shared roles. They fostered student motivation and development through formative evaluation. PBL produced clear benefits for students, such as increased autonomous learning, critical thinking, problem solving and communication. For facilitators, PBL was a liberation from the traditional role of 'content expert and super consultant'.     

The first year of a problem-based learning curriculum

This article examines the first 12 months (the common foundation programme) of a problem-based learning curriculum in an adult-branch nursing diploma programme based at the school of nursing at the University of Salford. An overview of the curriculum and operational issues of all three branches of the nursing diploma is given before examining an evaluation of adult branch programme.     

Teaching feminist group process within a nursing curriculum

Nurse educators are challenged to develop emancipatory teaching approaches that will create opportunities for students to develop their own praxis. In particular, the authors faced the challenge of teaching feminist group process within a curriculum based on phenomenology, feminism, and critical social theory. In this article, we discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching nursing and other students about feminist process through the creation of experiential learning opportunities. In addition, we highlight recommendations based on our own praxis.     

Speech-language pathology students' approaches to learning in a problem-based learning curriculum

Problem-based learning (PBL) is hypothesized to enhance the development of deep learning. Most previous studies, however, have focused on outcomes (knowledge and skills) rather than students' approaches to learning, or how learning approach correlates with learning outcomes. Undergraduates in a speech-language pathology program (n?=?114) completed the revised 2-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) twice in an academic year to identify their approaches to learning and to compare these results with academic outcomes. Two findings emerged. Although the mean of scores for the deep approach (DA) to learning was consistently higher than the mean of scores for the surface approach (SA) to learning, exposure to PBL led to significant increase in DA and SA to learning during an academic year for students in Years 1 to 3. Students who did well in a PBL examination showed a much stronger DA than SA to learning, while students who performed less well showed a smaller difference between DA and SA to learning. Possible explanations for these findings are evaluated and implications for further studies are discussed.     

Speech-language pathology students' approaches to learning in a problem-based learning curriculum

Problem-based learning (PBL) is hypothesized to enhance the development of deep learning. Most previous studies, however, have focused on outcomes (knowledge and skills) rather than students' approaches to learning, or how learning approach correlates with learning outcomes. Undergraduates in a speech-language pathology program (n?=?114) completed the revised 2-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) twice in an academic year to identify their approaches to learning and to compare these results with academic outcomes. Two findings emerged. Although the mean of scores for the deep approach (DA) to learning was consistently higher than the mean of scores for the surface approach (SA) to learning, exposure to PBL led to significant increase in DA and SA to learning during an academic year for students in Years 1 to 3. Students who did well in a PBL examination showed a much stronger DA than SA to learning, while students who performed less well showed a smaller difference between DA and SA to learning. Possible explanations for these findings are evaluated and implications for further studies are discussed.     

Communication skills training as part of a problem-based learning curriculum

Communication skills are an essential element of professionalism. The goal of the problem-based learning (PBL) model is to provide nursing students with the communication skills needed in the helping process. This article addresses the structure of communication skills training at the Dokuz Eylül University School of Nursing. There, students work within a module, first determining the part of the scenario related to communication, adapting this as a learning topic, and then learning the communication skills related to that topic on a cognitive level. A communication laboratory has been set up to permit implementation of the communication skills related to the topic within each learning module. This is necessary because communication requires both knowledge and skill development. Another important facet of communication skills training in this PBL model is that this training occurs during a 4-year learning period. In keeping with the structure of the PBL curriculum, the aim of this study was to provide students first with the skills for self-communication, then for communication with other healthy individuals and groups, and finally, for communication with individuals and groups with specific problems.     

澳门与内地合办在职护理硕士研究生的修读体验

目的探索澳门与内地合办在职护理硕士研究生的修读体验。方法采用Van Manen's演绎性现象学研究方法,对修读于澳门与内地某大学合办在职护理硕士学位课程的16名学生进行深度访谈与主题分析。结果澳门与内地合办在职护理硕士研究生的修读体验包括:1学术范畴的辛苦:学术基础薄弱、科研选题及实施的压力、与两地导师沟通不够明确及时、部分理论课的实用性不强;2组织和管理范畴的辛苦:机构支持不足、两地课程管理文化差异、科研支持资源不足;3个人范畴的辛苦:家庭照顾及工作负担、担心失败;4不放弃的收获:科研及解决问题能力的提高、学术网络的拓展、更好的职业生涯。结论应当洞察和把握澳门与内地合办在职护理硕士研究生的特点,不断完善培养和管理,积极促进两地高等护理教育的更好合作与融合。     

Recurriculating to a problem-based learning curriculum: the Wits experience

The reasons for changing from a traditional curriculum to a problem-based learning curriculum are outlined. The process used in preparing for this change is described. The planning phase made use of workshops, core committees and international workshops and visits. Preparation of the necessary resources are enumerated, as are the preparation of the human resources with which the department is affiliated. The early implementation phase describes some of the problems which were encountered and the solutions which were ascribed. Finally an informal evaluation of the first experiences of problem-based learning is presented.     

The influence of curriculum format on learning preference and learning style

Undergraduate occupational therapy students were given the Rezler-French Learning Preference and the Kolb Learning Style Inventories at the introduction of professional course work (pretest) and upon completion of junior year course work and Level 1 fieldwork (posttest) 1 year later. The students' course work was a guided-study, modified competency-based program that included guided independent study, laboratory work, small group study, and one-to-one tutorials in preference to, but not excluding, the more traditional lecture method. After experiencing different modes of instruction, the students indicated no significant difference in their preferences for ways of learning or in processing information. Implications of these findings for the teaching-learning process are discussed.     

Interprofessional practice in healthcare: Experiences of a faculty learning community

Healthcare reform has had its impact on many health professionals as well as clinical settings, particularly with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. In healthcare settings, healthcare teams are challenged with new systems of care and changing philosophies of management. However, healthcare providers retain a distinctive sense that they cannot always provide care without some form of collaboration. This article presents the results of a pilot study, which measured the effectiveness of a model of practice utilised at a faculty-practitioner operated university community clinic. The purpose of the study was to measure the perceived effectiveness of a practice model, client satisfaction, and students’ perceptions of learning. Implications of this pilot study include providing an interprofessional practice model, which can be replicated in any healthcare setting. This study also provides an opportunity to improve student learning in degree programmes where practice is a significant aspect of the learning process.     

Experiences of online learning: students' perspective

This paper explores students' views of an online learning initiative within a post-registration degree in nursing in Hong Kong. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. One hundred and ninety eight students completed the study. Online learning was seen to be convenient allowing students to study at their own pace and time. Students reported that online learning enabled them to hold a higher level of accountability for their own learning and to learn independently. Not all experiences were positive. A major hindrance to online learning was the inadequate opportunity for human interaction which was deemed necessary for establishing peer support and developing in-depth group discussion on subject matter. These findings provide a guide for further development and improvement in online teaching and learning methodologies.