North Carolina AHEC Program
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Wake AHEC Summer Institute Focuses on Adult Learners
The Summer Institute 2010: Keys to Successful Teaching in the Health Professions was held May 20 & 21, 2010 in Raleigh. Excitement, energy and education were demonstrated by the facilitator and instructors for the 50 participants. This workshop was supported by The Duke Endowment and focused on the application of adult learning principles, small group as well as individual activities and networking opportunities with expert faculty.
On the first day, Joye Norris, PhD, facilitated “Ya Gotta Have Heart! An Educator’s Guide to Facilitation Practices.” Individuals learned about the importance of anchoring learning, warming up the learners in a safe environment, using variety to engage students, and making a strong closing. Each small group developed a teaching topic of choice by utilizing the 4 A’s: Anchor, Add, Apply and Away. Many “aha moments” were experienced as participants learned to sequence concepts; i.e. giving students resources needed to complete an activity, make the invisible visible and allow the students to do the learning. Each small group presented their work in a poster session.
On the second day, Pam Edwards, EdD, and colleagues from Duke University Medical Center shared their experience and knowledge on topics related to effective clinical teaching. Tips for preparing the clinical assignments, organization of time and unit resources and various instructional methods with appropriate and inappropriate student feedback were presented. One highlight of the day was the role playing demonstrating cognitive apprenticeship teaching method with the Sim G3 manikin. Adapted from Collins, Brown and Holum, 2004, participants learned about the four dimensions of cognitive apprenticeship (Content [domain & strategic knowledge], Teaching Methods [modeling, coaching, scaffolding & fading, articulation, reflection, exploration], Sequencing learning experiences, and addressing the sociology of the learning environment) and how these are applied to teaching in a clinical environment.
Comments from the evaluation included:
- I learned how important it is to be personable and to make students/participants feel comfortable, valued, and like what they have to say is important. It made me feel like that what I am doing currently is okay but that my students would benefit from me working toward the goal of applying her keys for successful teaching. Joye Norris's teaching style kept me engaged and involved the whole time and the day went by quickly.
- Really enjoyed the content, a lot of it new for me.
- Excellent Summer Institute with valuable information, ideas, networking, and material for reference.
The Duke Endowment PI is Diana Bond. Logistical support was provided by Amy Steele. Institute Planning committee: Sue Beck, UNC-CH; Diane Chapman, NCSU; Kathy Clark, Wake AHEC; Pam Edwards, Duke University Health System; Mark Hand, ECU; Julia Storberg-Walker NCSU. Advisory Board/Partners Participating: Kathy Weeks, Wake Technical Community College; Brad Mehlenbacher, NCSU; & Julia Storberg-Walker, NCSU.