Small Group Activities Research Articles

Active Learning and Community Engagement: Pedagogical Synergy through the "Mobile Neuroscience Lab" Project.

The Mobile Neuroscience Lab is a project that facilitates combined pedagogical strategies of active learning and neuroscience outreach as a service learning component of a physiological psychology course. The overall project goals were to improve science knowledge, foster oral communication, and encourage positive science attitudes and beliefs. Of these goals, positive science attitudes and beliefs were assessed. During active learning, university students completed hands-on activities corresponding to the physiological psychology course. Following, during the neuroscience outreach activity ("learning through teaching"), university students and middle school students engaged in small group activities (one university student to five middle school students) using the same hands-on activities. Assessment of the perceived benefit of the active learning showed that university and middle school students responded favorably to the hands-on activities. Students' science attitudes were also assessed (Hillman et al., 2016) using a pre-test, post-test design. Data showed that the neuroscience activity did not change middle school science attitudes and beliefs (p > .05), possibly as the science attitudes and beliefs were already positive (moderate to high) prior to the outreach activity. However, qualitative data showed that the aspect of the neuroscience outreach activity that most assisted the middle school students in their learning was seeing the brain, touching the brain, and social interaction with the university students. Overall, the pedagogical strategies of active learning, and "learning through teaching", were received with enthusiasm by university and secondary education students. Future studies will include classroom teachers' assessment of these hands-on activities.

OGAWA, Shinichi "Small-group Activities as Japanese-style Management: Development, Diffusion, and Transformation of Quality Circles"

OGAWA, Shinichi "Small-group Activities as Japanese-style Management: Development, Diffusion, and Transformation of Quality Circles"

Teaching About Intergenerational Dynamics: An Exploratory Study of Perceptions and Prevalence in US Medical Schools.

PurposePrior studies suggest a role for promoting recognition of generational differences as a part of workplace ethics. To our knowledge, there is no published comprehensive analysis demonstrating how commonly or by what methods intergenerational dynamics are taught as structured coursework in medical school curricula. To address this gap, we carried out a survey of curriculum leaders of US medical schools to assess the current practices and attitudes toward content related to generational differences in medical school coursework.MethodsA survey consisting of 23 closed- and open-ended questions that aimed to assess the presence, characteristics, and attitudes of participants towards intergenerational dynamics in medical school coursework was disseminated via email. Curriculum deans at 154 allopathic medical schools were invited to complete the survey and sent one reminder email. Quantitative responses were descriptively analyzed, and qualitative responses were thematically analyzed.ResultsThe response rate was 38.3%, with the majority (58%) of responding institutions stating that their curriculum did not include coursework on intergenerational dynamics. When taught, the most frequent method of instruction was small-group activities. Most stated that the educational content for intergenerational dynamics has been part of their curriculum for fewer than five years. In total, 34% of respondents agreed that some form of education about intergenerational dynamics should be required during medical education as they felt that content could improve cultural competence. Those that were less supportive of inclusion of intergenerational material stated concerns about stereotyping and the value of generational descriptions.ConclusionOur findings show a heterogeneity of responses on the perceptions and practice of curriculum leaders regarding inclusion of content related to intergenerational differences in medical school education. In summary, we present the first work assessing current practices and attitudes toward content related to the inclusion of material on intergenerational dynamics in undergraduate medical education in US allopathic medical schools.

Teaching Methods of Reading for the Creation of Questions －<Reading Masterpiece> Focused on Cases of Greek Tragedy Class

This study is aimed to reveal that the method used for the creation of questions by students taking a classic education class named <Reading Masterpiece> is important in two ways: 1) facilitating the difficulty with which students read classical literature, and 2) establishing individual perspectives when reading by oneself. The experience of voluntary reading is more important than reading a lot. The class focused on the process used by students to create questions regarding the texts they’re required to read, it is necessary for us to structure classes according to these levels in reading in order to raise the level of questions the students are able ask. To make secondary and tertiary reading possible at least in part, the class information, the details regarding the actual assignment of the class and a small group activity were given and conducted respectively according to the students’ reading levels.</br>The procedure was carried out according to reading levels following the establishment of the goals for each work assigned. Even though students have their own unique perspecitves regarding the goals of every text assigned to them, we asked them to come up with their own perspectives in their approach to these texts. Furthermore, we had them focus on the types of questions pertaining to the first two works they were requried to read, and by pointing out the possibility of various interpretations regarding their next two works. Finally, we had them compare their work to the last two texts that they read.</br>Of course, the process of creating questions is important in every work, but this study aimed at encouraging students to develop their own individual questions. This is because it is more important for instructors to provide an environment where in students can voluntarily utilize reading that encourages them to come up with their own perspectives rather than simply giving them a number of opportunities to read. For reading itself provides students the chance of engaging in tertiary reading. Students' presentations and discussions confirmed that the power of spontaneity builds up from the moment the learner recognizes that they have achieved it by themselves by asking questions and developing it into their own perspective.

Virtual Social Events: An Integral Component of Recruitment in the New Era of Graduate Medical Education.

Virtual Social Events: An Integral Component of Recruitment in the New Era of Graduate Medical Education.

Evidence-based teaching practices correlate with increased exam performance in biology.

Evidence-based teaching practices are associated with improved student academic performance. However, these practices encompass a wide range of activities and determining which type, intensity or duration of activity is effective at improving student exam performance has been elusive. To address this shortcoming, we used a previously validated classroom observation tool, Practical Observation Rubric to Assess Active Learning (PORTAAL) to measure the presence, intensity, and duration of evidence-based teaching practices in a retrospective study of upper and lower division biology courses. We determined the cognitive challenge of exams by categorizing all exam questions obtained from the courses using Bloom's Taxonomy of Cognitive Domains. We used structural equation modeling to correlate the PORTAAL practices with exam performance while controlling for cognitive challenge of exams, students' GPA at start of the term, and students' demographic factors. Small group activities, randomly calling on students or groups to answer questions, explaining alternative answers, and total time students were thinking, working with others or answering questions had positive correlations with exam performance. On exams at higher Bloom's levels, students explaining the reasoning underlying their answers, students working alone, and receiving positive feedback from the instructor also correlated with increased exam performance. Our study is the first to demonstrate a correlation between the intensity or duration of evidence-based PORTAAL practices and student exam performance while controlling for Bloom's level of exams, as well as looking more specifically at which practices correlate with performance on exams at low and high Bloom's levels. This level of detail will provide valuable insights for faculty as they prioritize changes to their teaching. As we found that multiple PORTAAL practices had a positive association with exam performance, it may be encouraging for instructors to realize that there are many ways to benefit students' learning by incorporating these evidence-based teaching practices.

Medical students' satisfaction on online flipped learning by learning styles.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the differences in the medical students’ satisfaction on online flipped learning by the learning style.MethodsA total of 42 second-year medical students were participated in this study. As study tools, Felder and Soloman’s Index of Learning Styles and the Korean Educational Development Institute’s National Assessment of Student Engagement in Learning were utilized. Data analysis was conducted with the Kruskal-Wallis test, a nonparametric statistical method.ResultsResults showed that there were statistically significant differences within active–reflective types and sensing–intuitive types. The active–reflective type has been shown to have statistically significant differences for the three effects of learning, such as problem solving and understanding, active participation, and self-directed learning attitudes. For sensing–intuitive type, active participation showed a significant difference from other effects of learning.ConclusionThe learning style is an important concept in understanding the diverse ways in which students process and absorb new information. Hence research is needed to conduct successful small group activities through online. In the future, it is necessary to find the factors that can lead to successful online classes in medical schools.

Effect of Life Skills Training on Suicidal Behaviour of Adolescents

The study aims to investigate the effect of life skills training on the suicidal behaviour of adolescents. The study employs a quasi-experimental research design. The sample comprised 970 adolescents studying in the ninth grade. The study was carried out in three phases. Life skills training programme was conducted in 30 sessions within the school premises. For each life skill, sessions were activity-based and participatory. The techniques used to impart training were role play, small group activities, lectures and group discussions. The results show a significant decremental effect of life skills training on suicidal behaviour of adolescents. Life skills training was effective in reducing suicidal behaviour among adolescents. Life skills training improves decision-making, problem-solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, advocacy, coping, and mindfulness skills in students. Hence, schools should provide skill-building opportunities for adolescents to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors. Also, schools should embed life skills training in general mental health promotion rather than specific suicide prevention activities.

It\u2019s what you do, not the way you do it \u2013 online versus face-to-face small group teaching in first year medical school

BackgroundMajor disruptions imposed on medical education by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to online teaching in medical programs, necessitated need for evaluation of this format. In this study we directly compared knowledge outcomes, social outcomes, and wellbeing of first year student small group teaching in either face to face (f2f) or online format.MethodsAt the end of the first course of our medical program, students were invited to participate in an online questionnaire with 10 quantitative items and 1 qualitative item. These were analysed using Factor Analysis Pattern Matrix and linear regression to group items and assess relatedness. Qualitative responses were thematized using Qualtrics software (Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA). Summative assessment results were compared, both between current cohorts to historical cohorts.ResultsFrom a cohort of 298 students there was a 77% response rate. Overall, there were no differences in knowledge gains, either between groups or when compared to historical cohorts. Questionnaire items fell reliably into groups that related to either learning outcomes, social outcomes, or wellbeing. Independent T tests showed that format for teaching (online versus f2f) had an impact on social outcomes but no direct impact on learning outcomes. Linear regression revealed that the social outcomes have a direct impact on wellbeing and almost the double the impact on learning outcomes than mode of learning i.e.. F2f or online (β = .448 and β = .232 respectively).ConclusionIn this study, we were able to show with statistical strength that social outcomes for students such as engaging with peers and facilitator, contributing to the group, and making friends have a direct impact on wellbeing and indirectly impact learning outcomes (such as motivation, satisfaction, integration of knowledge). In a rapidly changing educational landscape, in our opinion, it is vital that these aspects are a focus of design and delivery of medical education. The data from this study supports the notion that activity design and the expertise of the teacher in facilitating the small group activities, has greater impact than the mode of educational delivery itself on students’ learning processes.

The Semiotic Function of a Bridging Representation to Support Students’ Meaning-Making in Solution Chemistry

Many researchers have reported that bridging analogies can productively support students’ scientific meaning-making. How this can be understood semiotically is, however, not well understood. This research followed an ethnographic case study approach to investigate Year 11 students meaning-making through a process of transduction (Kress, 2000; Volkwyn, 2020) across the submicroscopic and symbolic domains of Johnstone’s (1991) chemistry triangle. A “cross-and-portion” (CPO) model was devised as a bridging representation for learning the molar concentration and dilution concepts, informed by Peirce’s triadic model (1931) which relates the meaning of a concept to its representation in a sign, and its referent. The study drew on video capture of the classroom and small group activity, and interviews.The research findings indicated that the CPO model acted as a visualisation tool that facilitated students to link from the submicroscopic to symbolic domains of Johnstone’s triangle. A recursive model of meaning-making was formulated to describe how bridging representations are re-purposed to occupy shifting positions in Peirce’s triad to enable meaning through the system of interpretance. Students constructed, critiqued and transducted across multiple, multimodal representations to achieve discursive fluency across the dimensions of Johnstone’s triangle. The recursive model provides a fresh perspective on how students coordinate multimodal representations to learn science/chemistry.

Who, What, and Where: Classroom Contexts for Preschool Writing Experiences

ABSTRACT Although writing is a critical foundational skill and teachers’ approaches to writing is connected to development, writing instruction in preschool is often limited, infrequent, and narrow. While research has investigated literacy environments of preschool classrooms, often with a focus on reading, less is known about writing environments. Thus, it is important to better understand writing contexts in preschool classrooms. Research Findings: Through observations in preschool settings, this study sought to better understand the nature of writing in preschool classrooms. A total of 71 classrooms were observed across three US states, in a variety of settings (i.e., private, Head Start, public PreK, and university lab school). Observation data was coded based on grouping and environmental contexts and instructional content. Results demonstrate uneven writing experiences, often narrowly focused in terms of content, with more frequent writing in art, planned small group activities, and in writing centers, with few instances occurring naturalistically in play, despite professional recommendations. Practice or Policy: This study has practical and policy-based implications as it provides insight as to the ways in which this important foundational skill is being addressed in real classrooms. The findings herein may inform interventions around writing instruction in early childhood.

The Effects of Simulation Problem-Based Learning on the Empathy, Attitudes toward Caring for the Elderly, and Team Efficacy of Undergraduate Health Profession Students.

Undergraduate students studying health professions receive a uniprofessional education in an isolated educational environment within the university curriculum, and they have limited opportunities to experience collaborative learning through interactions with other professions. This study adopted a one-group, pretest–posttest, quasi-experimental design to investigate the effect of an undergraduate course that applied simulation problem-based learning (S-PBL) on nursing and dental hygiene students’ empathy, attitudes toward caring for the elderly, and team efficacy. The S-PBL was designed based on the ARCS model of motivation proposed by Keller, and the subjects (n = 24) participated in a small group activity of identifying and checking for medical errors that may pose a threat to patients’ safety. The results showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the subjects’ attitudes toward caring for the elderly (t = 3.11, p = 0.01) and team efficacy (t = 2.84, p = 0.01) after participating in the S-PBL. The teaching method developed by this study aims to counteract the problems of the limited experience available to undergraduate health profession students during clinical practicum in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations of interprofessional education, and it has established the groundwork for further exploration of the learning transfer effect of S-PBL.

Building Research Capacity in HIV and Noncommunicable Diseases in Africa: A Mentorship and Leadership Workshop Report.

Introduction:Few structured mentoring programs target early-stage investigators in Africa, creating a gap in mentorship skills where HIV burden is greatest. We describe findings from a Nigeria-based workshop for early-career physician scientists to build mentoring and leadership capacity in HIV and noncommunicable disease research.Methods:Baseline surveys captured participant demographics, confidence in implementing mentoring competencies, and perceived importance of workshop training domains. The workshop included didactic presentations, small group activities, and interactive discussions. Daily surveys evaluated sessions, and postworkshop surveys solicited overall course impressions.Results:Of the 33 participants, most were male (n = 21, 63.6%) and from medicine, laboratory sciences, and surgical specialties. “Building mentees' confidence” and “setting mentees' research goals” were ranked as areas where participants most believed they needed training. Sessions were rated favorably across five areas. Greatest improvements in mean scores were for confidence in identifying personal temperament styles, describing mentoring and leadership theories/frameworks, and developing mentoring plans. Additional identified workshop strengths were content relevance, leadership case series, interactive nature, and collegial atmosphere. All respondents indicated learning something new/useful/helpful in each session. At 6-month postworkshop, most respondents (25 of 26, 96%) had replicated or plan to replicate parts of the workshop in their departments/institutions.Discussion:Effective mentoring training initiatives targeting future academic leaders have the potential to create skilled academicians who can impart mentoring skills and competencies to their mentees.

Nurses' Knowledge of Palliative Care at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Levels of Health Care

Introduction. Comprehensive care for patients who no longer respond to treatment procedures is called palliative care. Palliative medicine does not delay or accelerate death, it promotes life, and considers dying as a normal process. In palliative medicine and care there is no place for hierarchy - teamwork, focus on the patient and respect for his autonomy are what is important. Aim. The conducted research shows the knowledge of nurses about palliative care at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care. Methods. Prospective research in the Republic of Croatia at three levels of health care has been conducted. The sample included 150 nurses. The instrument used in the study was the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN). Results. The results showed that the nurses’ knowledge of palliative care is insufficient among the nursing population. Despite numerous training activities conducted over the past ten years, levels of knowledge are still lower than expected. Nurses at the primary level of health care have far greater knowledge than nurses at secondary and tertiary levels. Conclusion. Results of the study showed the need for quality education with real-life examples in order to achieve higher levels of empathy, spread knowledge about palliative care and about the importance of care for palliative patients. It is recommended to increase the number of educational activities in small groups, in the local language, adaptable and understandable to all health professionals.

Clinical Teacher Training for health professionals: From blended to online and (maybe) back again?

The Clinical Teacher Training (CTT) programme was originally developed as an interprofessional, blended learning programme, to support health professionals working across health services within Australia, although it has also been delivered internationally. With the disruption of COVID-19, we rapidly moved to 'online only' delivery. We sought to modify the programme, ensuring that the constructivist paradigms important for our learner experience through the original blended format were maintained in the online platform. Consisting of 10 modules on a range of topics, the new CTT online only programme was facilitated online across 6 weeks with asynchronous and synchronous assessable activities, and provision of peer and facilitator feedback. The learning outcomes for each module were similar to the 'blended learning' format. The new programme was delivered three times throughout 2020 and completed by a total of 208 health professionals from across 10 metropolitan and rural health districts. The focus of our evaluation was on the programme's final 2020 iteration, for which we had ethics approval. Participants (n= 59) were from diverse health professions, across five metropolitan and rural health districts. We prioritised the learner experience in constructing our evaluation strategy. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by post-course questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Twenty participants (34%) responded to the post-course questionnaire. Participants valued the structure, topics, clear outcomes, timeframe, online resources, small group activities, feedback and the flexibility and accessibility afforded by online only delivery. However, participants identified a need for additional 'real-time' engagement in activities. Faculty were surprised by the time required to adequately facilitate online learning, and similarly, valued the real-time interactions. The online only CTT programme provided an excellent, scalable framework to ensure continued provision of a relevant and accessible training resource for clinicians working in metropolitan and regional/rural health services. Learner-reported achievement of programme learning outcomes was not negatively impacted by online only delivery. Balancing these resource advantages with learner preferences and our desire to build active teaching networks, we will continue to host the majority of the programme online, while offering short face-to-face sessions within local contexts.

Model-based Instruction as an Activity in Teaching a Pharmaceutics Course

Abstract: Objectives: Pharmaceutics is the core component of pharmacy education; the course helps pharmacy students to understand the influence of drugs' physicochemical characteristics and manufacturing parameters on therapeutic performance. Although they are important, pharmaceutics concepts can be "dry," especially since many pharmacy schools teach pharmaceutics using the traditional lecture-only format. Therefore, activities through which students can perceive the relevance of the subject to clinical applications and that keep learners engaged in their classes are very much in demand. Methods: In this study, the incorporation of model-based instruction (MBI) in teaching a pharmaceutics course was explored, and the reasons for integrating this type of model were discussed. We presented a case study involving students transferring scientific knowledge to tactile models. The students' perception of the usefulness of this activity was evaluated. Results: The open-ended questions in the survey showed that the models helped learners to understand the content and enjoy the class. Conclusion: The study provided examples of interactive, simple, easy, and inexpensive MBI, where students could demonstrate their content understanding and their skills. The process of creating and evaluating models transforms the student class experience from static to dynamic and may help students achieve profound and long-lasting learning. Key words: Simulation and education, Modelling and education, Physical models and teaching, Small-group activities, PharmD, Pharmacy education.

EFL SPEAKING PRACTICE IN DISTANCE LEANING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 2020-2021

Students at languages and translation departments at Saudi universities take listening and speaking courses. Before the pandemic, the students used to complete the activities in the textbooks which required them to engage in many real-life, face-to-face individual and/or collaborative small-group activities in the classroom such as role-playing, dramatization, inviting a guest, conducting interviews and others. However, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, there was an emergency shift to distance learning at Saudi universities starting March 2020 , where all courses are being delivered online. Several platforms are being used in distance education such as Blackboard, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others. The current study explores the types of online speaking activities that a sample of college instructors at some language and translation departments are currently using in distance education and how they engage students online in the absence of face-to-face activities, interaction, and communication. Survey results showed that EFL college instructors are using a variety of online speaking activities such as: (i) assigning a topic which the students research and prepare at home and then give an online oral presentation about it online through the platform; (ii) using online debates about some issues; (iii) answering problem-solving questions; (iv) student-created podcast on a topic of their choice and them in Speaking Center on Twitter; (v) combining listening and speaking activities; (vi) using . free online audio recording creator to record conversations and presentations; (vii) using the app and others. Students and instructors’ views on the effects of the online speaking activities on students’ speaking skill development in the distance learning environments are reported.

Attempting to disrupt racial division in social work classrooms through small-group activities

Abstract
 The notion of racial difference and racial segregation has continued to be problematic in higher education studies. Students belonging to Ethnic Minority groups often feel segregated even in courses and classrooms that promote anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practices. This paper presents a study that investigated seventy-five students from the BA and MA student cohorts within a London-based university. Students were encouraged to integrate and interrogate matters of race and belonging during a seminar on protected characteristics designed to disrupt racial division. Qualitative surveys were conducted to understand participants' views about racial disruption and experiences after the activities. Findings revealed ongoing segregation after the activity in and out of the classroom, fear of approaching racialised spaces, the need for additional brave reflective spaces that disrupt racial segregation and foster better understanding about race. The paper concludes by stressing the significance and value of racially disruptive teaching activities and racial assimilation in social work programmes as a means of tackling racial bias, segregation and decolonisation.

Replacing “The Holy Grail”: Use peer assessment instead of class participation grades!

The move towards student-centred learning in higher educational settings (especially business schools) requires that students participate actively in physical and online classes. In order to both encourage and reward student participation; instructors typically assess it in some way and include a participation grade in calculating a student's final course grade. The purpose of this paper is to be provocative! It challenges our pursuit of the “holy grail” of class participation grading and proposes that we should replace this antiquated tool with a “reality stone” for the 21st Century: The judicious use of small group activities and peer assessments of group members. This paper presents several evidence-based recommendations for implementing the use of small group work and peer assessment, as an alternative to grading class participation.

Особливості змісту навчальної дисципліни «Педагогічний консалтинг» у підготовці студентів за магістерськими програмами

The content of the article considers the issue of training teachers and heads of educational organizations in the specialties 011 «Educational, pedagogical». Problems of teaching students in these specialties involve obtaining the necessary knowledge and opportunities for professional development.The article draws attention to the study of the concept of consulting services in Ukraine in the field of education. The analysis of research on the concept of «consulting» as an activity, in terms of different approaches, revealed that it plays an important role in the development of educational organizations. Since consulting is based on the scientific organization of labor, systematic analysis, scientifically sound methods of decision making. The focus is on understanding the importance of management consulting, which helps identify which places in the organization are most vulnerable, adjusts the activities of the organization as a whole and in turn, is divided into strategic, marketing and personnel. It is proved that the study of the discipline «Pedagogical Consulting» in the training of the second (master) level should enrich students with knowledge about the possibilities and effectiveness of consulting counseling, psychological and pedagogical audit, skills of consultants-trainers who coordinate activities in small organizations and groups, master the skills to develop programs for innovative development of the team and conduct various types of diagnostics, etc. It is determined that in the process of teaching the discipline the main attention should be paid to the acquisition of professional competencies by students; intensification of educational and cognitive activities of students, which involves the use of both active and interactive learning technologies; the use of certain methods of activating the learning process. A necessary element of successful mastering of the discipline material is independent work of students, and the system of assessment of formed competencies in students, which considers the types of classes stimulates daily systematic work of masters and increases motivation of masters to master management educational programs based on evaluation of their work