教育学最新文献

Introductory classes are often a student's first exposure to foundational knowledge, careers, and faculty in an academic major. The characteristics of introductory exercise science courses, as well as faculty impressions of course benefits and areas for improvement, were explored in this study. Electronic survey data from 181 universities around the United States were analyzed. A wide range of course content was reported. Institution type was related to the status of the faculty teaching the course, method of course delivery, class size, and class availability. The number of majors was related to faculty status, class availability, and class size. Specifically, private 4-year institutions were more likely to teach smaller, face-to-face classes. Introduction courses at R1, R2, Doctoral/Professional institutions, and programs with 300 or more majors were less likely to be taught by only tenured/tenure track faculty. Classes were more likely to be offered in various modalities as opposed to only face-to-face at community colleges, and programs with 300 or more majors were more likely to have classes with 50 or more students. Enrollment in the introductory course was more likely restricted to majors and minors at public 4-year schools and programs with 300 or more majors. Faculty perceived knowledge acquisition and relationship building as benefits of introductory classes for students and programs. The overarching themes for course improvement were modifying course content and characteristics of course delivery. Considering the varied course characteristics, we encourage faculty and administrators to be intentional when designing and implementing introductory exercise science courses.

Physiology education in Africa faces challenges due to gaps in curricula across many of its universities, such as divergent content, a lack of standardized competencies, and suitable benchmarking. Here, we describe the development of Physiology Curriculum for African Universities (PhysioCAFUN), a competency-based curriculum development guideline, as a first step to address such shortcomings. A committee of 15 physiologists from different African regions, Europe, and USA was constituted to draft the PhysioCAFUN, which was introduced and revised during the joint East African Society of Physiological Sciences (EASPS) and African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS) conference held in Tanzania late 2023. The PhysioCAFUN consists of 23 modules. Modules 1-15 cover the organ systems, including principles and concepts of physiology, molecular biology and cell physiology. Modules 16-23 contain optional content, including environmental physiology, pharmacology, and topics related to skill development. PhysioCAFUN serves as a freely available resource document for African stakeholders regarding the desired undergraduate physiology training and competencies. It will help universities in Africa, and elsewhere, to draft a curriculum suitable for their local needs where there is a dearth of physiologists, or to benchmark and revise their curricula where physiology programs are already in place.

Objective: To explore Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) preceptor perspectives including implemenation recommendations, barriers, and facilitators to using entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessment in pharmacy experiential education.

Methods: Two 90-minute virtual focus group sessions were conducted to elucidate preceptor perspectives on EPA integration into APPEs through semi-structured discussion. Preceptors with experience utilizing entrustment-supervision (ES) scales with EPAs for assessments for at least four APPE learners in the last year were eligible. The primary outcome was a description of implementation guidance for assessing learners using an EPA framework. Secondary outcomes include descriptions of barriers and facilitators to using an EPA framework in APPE learner assessment. All sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Eleven APPE preceptors representing nine institutions participated. Commonly identified implementation recommendations were regular, repetitive preceptor education using case vpractice ignettes, student orientation to assessment expectations, clear delineation of minimum competency level, frequent discussions with preceptors, and use of institutional resources. Identified barriers were the abstractness of entrustability, subjectivity of the ES scale and preceptor assessments, unclear grading schemes, length and complexity of the assessments, and EPA applicability to the specific practice setting. Commonly identified facilitators were clearly defined scales and expectations, preceptor education, student education, pass/fail grading schemes, and shorter, more frequent assessments.

Conclusion: EPA-based assessments can be used by preceptors for workplace-based assessments during APPEs. Faculty/preceptor development and student orientation with benchmarking and clear expectations are needed to support implementation.