Can students be encouraged to read? Experimental evidence from a large lecture

One of the structural problems of introductory lectures is that students’ learning progress is primarily assessed by taking a final exam. Weekly preparation and reading are driven only by self-motivation. Can a student’s decision to complete her weekly assignments be influenced by a simple reminder? In a pre-registered experimental design, we test if personalised reminders from the instructor delivered via text messages contribute to learning outcomes. We assess formative learning via regular quizzes at the beginning of each class, and summative learning via grades in a final exam. We do not find statistically significant differences in learning outcomes, and discuss how design features potentially drive this result. In the conclusion, we stress the importance of experimental design in assessing innovative and new learning techniques.

Repurposing asynchronous video interview software for virtual pharmacy OSCEs during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic required pharmacy educators to seek creative and innovative ways of delivering learning outcomes in the virtual environment. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) have been particularly challenging to deliver online. Objective: To explore the use of asynchronous video interview software as a platform for virtual OSCEs in pharmacy education, and for conducting brief structured research interviews. Method: Fourth year Bachelor of Pharmacy students at an Australian university, were interviewed via asynchronous video interview software (Big Interview) about their perceptions of using the platform for virtual OSCEs. Results: 37 students (92.5%) used Big Interview to complete at least one summative OSCE case during a team-based simulation. Seven research interviews were recorded by six students. Positive comments focussed on facilitation of self-reflection and self-correction in patient questioning and counselling. Negative views concerned the lack of authenticity, including the robotic and artificial nature of interactions. Conclusion: Asynchronous video interview software for pharmacy OSCEs may assist formative learning and self-reflection, offering an adjunct to, but not replacement of, in-person communication

Mask-EdTM: A scoping review

Introduction: Simulation is commonly used in health professional education. Mask-EdTM is a novel form of teacher-in-role methodology involving the educator wearing a purpose-made silicone mask to become the simulated patient. The simulation unfolds spontaneously and in response to the students’ or cohorts’ knowledge, skills or learning objectives. The evidence to support adoption appears limited. This is significant given the resources required to establish a Mask-EdTMcharacter and the changes to courses educators will likely make to embed this simulation. This scoping review aims to explore the current literature and evidence base relating to Mask-EdTM.Methods: A scoping review was completed in September 2020 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Five databases and Google Scholar were searched for English, peer-reviewed publications containing variants of “Mask-Ed”. Screening and data charting were completed independently by both authors and then reviewed collaboratively. A descriptive analysis was conducted reporting findings based on study design. A thematic synthesis was completed for studies containing qualitative data.Results: Eighteen studies published between 2011 and 2020 by Australian universities and health institutions were included. Twelve studies reported on 10 unique datasets drawing on survey, focus group and mixed method designs. Two studies reported case studies without data, one study was on training and a final three provided research summaries or pedagogical discussion of Mask-EdTM. Conclusion: There is emerging evidence, self-reported by preclinical nursing students, that Mask-EdTM supports improved engagement and confidence in formative learning activities. There is limited evidence, however, to support use in other health or medical disciplines or in individual or summative assessment.

Unified Model for Learning Style Recommendation

Studying computer programming requires not only an understanding of theories and concepts but also coding adeptness. Success in studying or conducting such a course is definitely a challenge. This paper proposes a systematic learning style recommendation. The model is designed to evaluate students’ attributes and ongoing or formative learning outcomes for suggesting the effective style-fit strategy that facilitates learners to enhance their learning performances in terms of knowledge and skill. A two-stage association analysis was designed and conducted on a dataset collected from IT major students who enrolled in the Introduction to Computer Programming course. The first stage of association rules is to analyze and discover important relationships amongst learning styles, students’ attribute, and learning performance. The second stage of moderation analysis is then applied to probe the moderation effect of the different learning preferences on the relationship between student attributes and learning achievement. Experiments expose many insights, for example, mathematics and logical thinking are powerful assets of success in computer programming study. Association rules can effectively identify associations of learning styles and the learning performance in terms of knowledge or skills. By moderation analysis, students in the “Excellent” cluster have a broad learning style than other students. Two types of significant moderators, the universal and specific, exemplify how lecturers can flexibly post style-fit teaching strategies for a class-wide and specific group, respectively.

Self-Perceptions on Digital Competences for M-Learning and Education Sustainability: A Study with Teachers from Different Countries

The current international landscape shows that the most common alternative for the continuity of formative learning processes during the coronavirus pandemic has been the use the of e-learning to support children’s learning in environments outside of school. This forced change in teaching methods has consolidated the recognition that the digital skills of teachers are a relevant factor for the sustainability of education, both during the pandemic and in a future post-pandemic period or in other emergencies. In this sense, the objective of this study carried out between May and September 2020 was to determine the perceptions of 427 teachers from 15 countries about their digital competences in working with m-learning in primary education using a Montessori approach. The results of the questionnaire showed that teachers perceive their digital competences as inert and not very effective for innovation compared with the subsistence of traditional pedagogical practices, to deal with unpredictable situations or to generate differentiated adaptations for an inclusive education. The results of this study also serve as empirical support for establishing four training dimensions that can be considered priorities for the construction and implementation of a teacher training model that contributes to the sustainable development of education.

State of Simulation Research in Advanced Practice Nursing Education

Simulation is used in advanced practice nursing education for both formative learning experiences and summative competency testing. However, there has been a lack of cohesive data to support the use of simulation as a replacement for direct patient care hours. This chapter presents an overview of research designs and the leveled Kirkpatrick framework used in simulation research. Research articles evaluating the effect of simulation on advanced practice learners are presented by research design and Kirkpatrick level. There is evidence that simulation has a positive impact on Kirkpatrick Level 1 (Reactions) and Kirkpatrick Level 2 (Changes in Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes). However, there is a tremendous need for evidence that simulation can impact Kirkpatrick Level 3 (Behavior) and Level 4 (Results and Outcomes).

Incorporating immediate feedback in formative learning checks using H5P

Feedback is regularly used in summative assessment to “...reduce the gap between what is now and what should or could be” (Hattie & Timperley, 2007). However, its use in online learning tools, such as H5P, is somewhat limited to responses such as ‘correct’ and ‘incorrect’ which does not inform the learner of how they could improve (Boud and Molloy, 2013). This demonstration presents a framework for designing scaffolded tasks in H5P (http://h5p.org) which provide opportunities for educators to include feedback to guide the learner towards the expected outcome. The case study uses the H5P object ‘Drag and Drop’ object and with the ‘tip’ feature, creates a way for the learner to self-assess and direct their learning, fostering recall and knowledge production. Prompt types include ‘recall reminders’ and ‘eliciting reasoning behind the answer to identify knowledge gaps’ (Walsh and Sattes, 2005). It is suggested that by doing so, the learner is guided towards identifying the correct response and eventually narrowing their knowledge gap (Vygotsky, 1978). In this demonstration, two such H5P activities will be presented and participants will be guided through the stages of Learning Design and pedagogical rationale used in the task creation. This presentation will test the ability of the H5P tool to encompass pedagogical practices such as feedback into its environment. It is expected that future enhancements to the application account for this consideration. References Boud, D. and Molloy, E. (2013). Feedback in Higher and Professional Education, London: Routledge, 1-10. Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The Power of Feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81–112. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/003465430298487) Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. (Edited by M. Cole, J. Scribner, V. John-Steiner, & E. Souberman). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Walsh, J. A., & Sattes, B. D. (2005). Quality questioning: Research-based practices to engage every learner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.