Teaching and learning in Paediatrics
21 April 2009
In year 1 of the Undergraduate course and the first summer semester of the Graduate Entry Course, students are introduced to information about normal development in children. In addition to lecture format supported by slide presentations to demonstrate reactions and stages described, students participate (in groups) in practical classes to which (1)babies (0-18months) and (2) children aged 2-5 years are invited. As the children play with each other and the equipment provided, the tutor is able to demonstrate in real time the range of reactions appropriate for each child's age. Students can interact with the children if they are approached and also gain an appreciation of the social and behavioral aspects of development.
Students can then choose to seek a placement in a Paediatric context when completing their Preclinical Professional Practice commitment throughout their program. This supports the "lifespan" context in which Paediatrics is taught in stages across the programs. The whole approach is further developed during later courses in the undergraduate and GEMS programs when video footage of specific cases is used as stimulus material for group discussion and presentation, which prepares the students for their clinical practice.
To complete the cycle of experience, in the Physiotherapy Motor Clinics placement during final year, as well as assessing and treating children with a range of Paediatric conditions, students also attend a local kindergarten where they complete specific observational tasks on normal children to provide them with an enhanced knowledge base of "normal skill and development" against which they can compare their clients. We feel that this sequence of experiences allows students to gradually and with increasing complexity build their understanding of how children develop and the range of skills they may demonstrate at different ages, providing a baseline for comparison of clinical clients.
Year Level : (Initially year 1, then again for the later courses in years 2 and 3 of the undergraduate program .Initially Summer Semester and then Semester 2 in the GEMS program)
We expect that students will gain insight into, and knowledge of children's development, and that the manner of its presentation will engender enthusiasm for the core material and introduce many of them to a group in the community to which they may have little exposure.
- Presented in a smaller group than the whole class so participation is more easily promoted
- Re-presents information in another format from the lecture content so may be more effective for some learners depending on their own preferred style
- Experienced staff are able to model behavior management appropriate to each child and management strategies useful in paediatric clinical practice.
It is routinely evaluated as part of the Course Evaluations for the courses involved, but not necessarily as a specific strategy.
Informally, students comment favorably on the impact this class has on their interest in the area and their learning in this area.
We have considered using videotape instead of these classes, but the "real life" aspect is so rewarding that we have retained it despite it being difficult to provide.