Using a criterion-referenced rubric to enhance student learning: a case study in a critical thinking and writing module

Author(s):  
Priscillia Pui ◽  
Brenda Yuen ◽  
Happy Goh
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Karimi ◽  
Fawzy Elbarbry ◽  
Jeff Fortner

Purpose: An Integrative Student Learning (ISL) activity was developed with the intent to enhance the dynamic of student teamwork and enhance student learning by fostering critical-thinking skills, self-directed learning skills, and active learning. Case Study: The ISL activity consists of three portions: teambuilding, teamwork, and a facilitator driven "closing the loop" feedback discussion. For teambuilding, a set of clue sheets or manufacturer's drug containers were distributed among student pairs who applied their pharmaceutical knowledge to identify two more student pairs with similar clues or drugs, thus building a team of six. For teamwork, each team completed online exams, composed of integrated pharmaceutical science questions with clinical correlates, using only selected online library resources. For the feedback discussion, facilitators evaluated student impressions, opened a discussion about the ISL activity, and provided feedback to teams' impressions and questions. This study describes three different ISL activities developed and implemented over three days with first year pharmacy students. Facilitators' interactions with students and three surveys indicated a majority of students preferred ISL over traditional team activities and over 90% agreed ISL activities promoted active learning, critical-thinking, self-directed learning, teamwork, and student confidence in online library searches. Conclusions: The ISL activity has proven to be an effective learning activity that promotes teamwork and integration of didactic pharmaceutical sciences to enhance student learning of didactic materials and confidence in searching online library resources. It was found that all of this can be accomplished in a short amount of class time with a very reasonable amount of preparation.   Type: Case Study


Author(s):  
Heather Conboy ◽  
Sukhtinder Kaur ◽  
Julie Lowe ◽  
Ian Pettit ◽  
Rob Weale

In 2011 the Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology (CELT) was established at De Montfort University (DMU). The aim of the Centre is to work with staff and students to transform their learning and teaching experiences through the situated use of technologies (CELT, 2013). This case study offers an overview of the ways in which the CELT seeks to realise its vision in relation to the use of digital technologies for enhancing teaching and learning. In particular it seeks to ‘bridge the gap’ between digital ‘know how’ and the effective pedagogic implementation of digital technology as part of a curriculum. Key elements of the CELT strategy, and its ‘on the ground’ approaches to catalysing engagement and driving innovation in the use of digital technologies for teaching and learning will be detailed. This will include a series of examples of staff developmental projects that have sought to enhance student learning through the use of digital technologies. It is hoped that the case study will be of value in terms of highlighting effective practices and broader strategic approaches that may inform other practitioners who are interested in the use digital technologies for enhancing teaching and learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-143
Author(s):  
Sean Reid ◽  
Jason Muenzen ◽  
Rasoul Rezvanian

Purpose This paper aims to provide students with a career edge, business students require more than concepts and calculations to be successful in their future career. They require professional skill sets, mentors, relationship guides and as much real industry experience as they can gather before graduation. This study sheds some light on how a small business school (SBS) in a nonprofit private academic institution (NPAI) located in an isolated rural area of the USA has been able to tap its strong alumni relationships to provide mentoring and experiential learning opportunities to students using its student-managed investment funds (SMIFs) as the vehicle. Although this study uses a small, geographically isolated institution, the authors believe that the approach taken by this particular school can be replicated by any academic institution that strives to enhance student learning experience by promoting mentorship and experiential learning. Design/methodology/approach This study starts with a brief introduction (Section 1) and a short review of literature (Section 2) to highlight the numerous benefits of alumni engagement and student mentorship. Section 2 shows institutional background on the NPAI, the SBS and the SMIF. The major part of the study starts with a discussion on the set of rules to guide in the construction of a student-alumni relationship framework that could be easily modified to the unique characteristics of the institution. Next, the role and responsibility of the investment advisory board (IAB) and its members’ engagement with students are discussed. In the last part of the study, SBS is used as a case study to show how alumni contribute to SBS and enhance students’ experiential learning by contributing as mentor, IAB member, advisors to the FMIF and career mentorship. This study concludes with a discussion on potential areas of conflict and friction for alumni involvement. Findings This study shows that SBS in a NPAI has been able to tap its strong alumni relationship to provide mentoring and experiential learning opportunities to students using its SMIF as the vehicle. The authors believe that the approach taken by this particular school can be replicated by any academic institution that strives to promote mentorship and experiential learning. Research limitations/implications This case study is focused on a SBS in a NPAI that has a strong alumni relationship and enough resources to successfully tap on its alumni. It would be interesting to learn how this approach can be used in resource-limited public institutions. Practical implications As the case study shows, any business school that values experiential learning can rely on its alumni to enhance student learning experience by properly using its alumni resources. Social implications The results of this study show that business schools’ outreach opportunities and student experiential learning experience can be enhanced and business schools’ academic qualification and ranking, which leads to improvement in student enrollment, can be improved. Overall, the major beneficiary would be the business schools’ immediate and larger community. Originality/value The authors are positive that multiple universities are properly taking advantage of using their alumni relationship.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Gallagher ◽  
Walter Yerk ◽  
Philip S. Getty ◽  
Kristin Sample-Lord ◽  
Loÿc Vanderkluysen ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Stephen Arnott

This article suggests that using a critical thinking approach in teaching undergraduate courses such as Evidence is not only consistent with education in the liberal arts but offers valuable opportunities to enhance student learning, develop transferable skills, and explore interdisciplinary connections.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-201
Author(s):  
Anisah Dickson ◽  
Laura B Perry ◽  
Susan Ledger

While the International Baccalaureate’s Middle Years Programme (MYP) is growing in popularity in Australia and across the globe, few studies have examined the benefits and challenges of this IB programme for supporting student learning. Using a qualitative case study design of three Australian schools that formerly offered the MYP, we investigated teacher and school leader perceptions of the MYP for promoting student learning. Perceived benefits included high achievement and skill development through the MYP’s emphasis on inquiry-based learning and real-world relevance; criterion-referenced assessments; and a healthy balance between core and elective learning areas. Challenges for students stemmed primarily from operational difficulties and possible systems-level constraints impacting teachers, including integration of the Australian Curriculum with the MYP; ability to meet the MYP’s demands; confusion about MYP terminology and grading systems; and understanding interdisciplinary units. The findings suggest that MYP Coordinators and school leaders play a critical role in ensuring that schools realise the benefits of the MYP for student learning by providing systems-level support to optimise its benefits.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document