Teacher Education in the Philippines: Are We Meeting the Demand for Quality?

The Philippines’ dismal performance in recent international assessments (e.g., PISA in 2018; TIMSS and SEA-PLM in 2019) evince that a learning crisis persists and remains a formidable challenge for the country. This is despite the many educational reforms undertaken in recent years, such as resolving the decades-long backlog in school infrastructure, expanding access to early childhood education, upgrading teacher salaries, and enhancing the basic education curriculum. Although there is a myriad of factors that contribute to poor learner outcomes, there is a consensus in literature regarding the central role played by the teacher in these dynamics. This has motivated the researchers’ study of teacher education programs in higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly in their capacity to effectively prepare pre-service teachers for the profession. To fully understand this phenomenon, the researchers explored the profile of teacher education programs in the country in the past decade, and used multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between performance in the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) and the characteristics of the HEI attended (e.g., student-to-faculty ratio, HEI type, location, size, year established). It was found that between 2010 to 2016, an outsized proportion of poor quality were in Mindanao, particularly in BARMM and Region 12. Not coincidentally, these are the same regions where not a single institution has been able to hurdle CHED requirements to become a Center of Excellence (COE) in Teacher Education. Further analysis shows that attending programs in small HEIs is associated with a 14 to 17 percentage point disadvantage in the LET, relative to large institutions. Meanwhile, SUCs are seen to perform better in LET Elementary, whereas private HEIs and LUCs perform slightly better in LET Secondary. The proponents of this study put forward policy recommendations aimed at curbing the prevalence of non-performing HEIs, providing incentives for quality among TEIs, and strengthening oversight and coordination of the space.

Curricular Approach to IPE: Preparing Health Professions Students to Deliver Team-Based Care

Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential to prepare students for future healthcare careers and to meet accreditation requirements for health profession schools. After surveying successful IPE programs across the country, Marquette University developed a curricular approach. Over 1,500 students from 10 health professions (Athletic Training, Medical Laboratory Science, Counseling Psychology, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Speech-Language Pathology) currently participate in a series of four interactive, half-day courses which are aligned with the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies. Courses were moved online in response to the pandemic and are currently delivered using Microsoft Teams. Feedback from learners and faculty is gathered using post-event surveys and has been overwhelmingly positive. Learner outcomes are measured using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey. Overall, this approach has proven to be an effective and efficient model for delivering IPE to large numbers of students.

P.132 Investigation of Simulation-Based Lumbar Puncture Teaching Paradigms for Novice Learners

Background: Simulation-based educations’ prevalence within clinical neuroscience is on the rise, however investigation into what environment is most conducive to optimizing learning performance is limited. We aimed to determine whether training a simple-to-complex (progressive) sequence would result in superior learning compared to complex-to-simple (mixed) or complex-only sequences. Methods: A three-arm, prospective, randomised experiment was conducted to determine the effects on novice learner LP performance and cognitive load during learning and a very complex simulated reality assessment test 9-11 days later. Results: During learning, sterility breaches decreased linearly over time (p<.01) with no group differences, and accuracy was higher in the progressive group compared to complex-only (p<.01) and trended in the mixed group (p<.09). Across the learning phase cognitive load increased in the progressive group (p<.01) and decreased across the mixed group (p<.01). At assessment, there were no group differences in number of sterility breaches (p=.66), needle passes (p=.68) or cognitive load (p=.25). Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, equivocal assessment performance was found across groups. Our results suggest that successive progression in complexity of simulation does not increase novice learner outcomes. Further, a “one-size fits all” approach to simulated environment complexity in clinical neurosciences education may be warranted given equivocal learning and less resources necessary.

Common Assessment in Multi-Deprived Schools: The Case of Flood-Prone Schools in Western Kenya

The paper draws from a larger doctoral study, conducted between 2013 and 2016 in five flood-prone schools in western Kenya. The mixed methods research investigated: a) how these schools promote epistemological access (EA) and, b) the challenges they encounter towards a socially-just educational experience and comparable learning outcomes to learners. Findings suggested the importance of developing capabilities in a socially-just environment towards achieving (equitable) epistemological access (E)EA) in deprived school environments. There is no question that EA is about schools ensuring the development of capabilities among all learners. To that end, this paper explores the impact of assessment and learner outcomes as determining proxies to epistemological access (EA) and educational progression. It provides an understanding of how EA is measured and how we gauge the extent of learning in disadvantaged schools. In so doing, the paper seeks to provide a clearer conceptual understanding of how modes of assessment and learner outcomes influence (equitable) epistemological access and the educational progression of learners in different learning contexts. It also suggests a model which may be useful for developing policy around curriculum evaluation in multi-deprived settings. This consideration would contribute to the broad concern of social justice in education across all levels in education.

Academic Half-Day Education Experience in Post-graduate Medical Training: A Scoping Review of Characteristics and Learner Outcomes

Background The academic half-day (AHD) has grown in popularity for medical education because it intends to provide learners with uninterrupted, immersive learning time that may promote participant attendance, engagement, and knowledge. Little is known about the extent of use, forms, or effectiveness of AHD in post-graduate medical education. This scoping review summarizes existing literature and describes the learning outcomes, according to the Kirkpatrick model of learning evaluation, of AHD experiences on post-graduate medical trainees. Methods Authors used Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework, searching electronic scientific literature databases from the years of 1977-2019 with relevant key terms and identifying 735 papers. Two independent raters completed title/abstract screening and then extracted pertinent data from papers meeting specified criteria. Results Authors identified 38 relevant papers published in English, originating from programs in US (n=19) and Canada (n=19), spanning 4 disciplines: Medicine (n=17, 45%), Pediatrics (n=10, 26%), Critical Care/Surgery (n=9, 24%), Radiology (n=2, 5%). A majority (n=33, 87%) described specific educational experiences; most focused on residents only (n=27). The educational experiences included various teaching strategies; few were didactics only (n=4) and most were multi-modal including simulation, case-based learning, problem-based learning, and/or self-directed online study. AHD size ranged from 5-364 participants (median 39). AHD length was 1.5-6 hours (median 3). Required resources were inconsistently described. When evaluations of the specific educational experience were reported (n=35 studies), the majority of studies used weak research designs (e.g., one group, pre/post-test, n=19); few studies used strong research designs (e.g., randomized controlled trial, n=2). Positive effects of AHD ranged across Kirkpatrick levels 1-3 learner outcomes. Conclusions The composition and content of AHD in post-graduate medical education vary. Few studies of AHD use stringent research designs, and none include learner outcome measures at the highest Kirkpatrick level (i.e., level 4 results/patient outcomes). A consensus definition and further high-quality research on AHD in post-graduate medical education is needed.

Development of the Feedback Quality Instrument: a guide for health professional educators in fostering learner-centred discussions

Background Face-to-face feedback plays an important role in health professionals’ workplace learning. The literature describes guiding principles regarding effective feedback but it is not clear how to enact these. We aimed to create a Feedback Quality Instrument (FQI), underpinned by a social constructivist perspective, to assist educators in collaborating with learners to support learner-centred feedback interactions. In earlier research, we developed a set of observable educator behaviours designed to promote beneficial learner outcomes, supported by published research and expert consensus. This research focused on analysing and refining this provisional instrument, to create the FQI ready-to-use. Methods We collected videos of authentic face-to-face feedback discussions, involving educators (senior clinicians) and learners (clinicians or students), during routine clinical practice across a major metropolitan hospital network. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the video data were used to refine the provisional instrument. Raters administered the provisional instrument to systematically analyse educators’ feedback practice seen in the videos. This enabled usability testing and resulted in ratings data for psychometric analysis involving multifaceted Rasch model analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Parallel qualitative research of the video transcripts focused on two under-researched areas, psychological safety and evaluative judgement, to provide practical insights for item refinement. The provisional instrument was revised, using an iterative process, incorporating findings from usability testing, psychometric testing and parallel qualitative research and foundational research. Results Thirty-six videos involved diverse health professionals across medicine, nursing and physiotherapy. Administering the provisional instrument generated 174 data sets. Following refinements, the FQI contained 25 items, clustered into five domains characterising core concepts underpinning quality feedback: set the scene, analyse performance, plan improvements, foster learner agency, and foster psychological safety. Conclusions The FQI describes practical, empirically-informed ways for educators to foster quality, learner-centred feedback discussions. The explicit descriptions offer guidance for educators and provide a foundation for the systematic analysis of the influence of specific educator behaviours on learner outcomes.

Improving Special Education Service Delivery Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Central to positive learning outcomes for students with disabilities is the ability of the individualized education program (IEP) team to work collaboratively. Within the IEP team, effective service delivery involves direct and related service providers working in an interdisciplinary capacity as they share professional responsibilities to implement the student’s program and achieve the common goal of improved student outcomes. With support from the literature, this paper discusses the core components of Bronstein’s Interdisciplinary Collaboration Model (2003); and elucidates how professionals share their content knowledge and technical skills with each other, collaborate in instructional design, and gain a firm understanding of each other’s discipline in practice. Practical applications that promote interdisciplinary collaboration between adapted physical educators, special educators, related service providers, and parents to improve service delivery and learner outcomes are shared.

Evaluating Learning for the Multiple Constituencies of Higher Education: A Call for Action, A Call for Research

This paper explores the rapidly changing world of higher education and the need for different ways to identify learner outcomes and evaluate student learning. In recent years, higher education has experienced significant demographic shifts in student populations. These shifts were the result of numerous variables including the increasing cost of higher education, the demand from business and industry to get people into high-demand occupations faster, and the decreasing number of individuals choosing post-secondary education immediately following high school. The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges to the world with the pandemic caused by the coronavirus known as COVID-19. The pandemic accelerated the change that was already taking place in higher education. From how education was delivered to where it was delivered, higher education was forced to rapidly change a centuries-old model. This paper explores a tier one research university’s response to the changes in higher education by employing a proven process of mapping learning outcomes, assessing both new and prior learning using innovative technology, issuing microcredentials, and working with policymakers and employers to meet workforce demands. Keywords: Higher education1; Microcredentials2; Learning outcomes3 Mapping4; Assessment5.

How use of learning management system mediates the relationships between learner interactions and learner outcomes

Purpose Online learning and the use of technology-based learning management systems (LMS) are on the rise in higher education. The purpose of this study is to explore how the frequent use of these LMS mediates the relationship between three types of learner interactions and student outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This was an exploratory study using surveys that collected information on students’ use of LMS, their interactions and student outcomes. The participants of this study consisted of 362 undergraduate students from a South Korean University who were taking online classes as part of their degree. Findings The findings support existing research that increased learner interactions have positive effects on learning outcomes. However, some of the positive effects were reduced when considering the effect of higher levels of LMS use. In particular, learner-to-learner interactions. Research limitations/implications This information will enable educators to identify, measure and evaluate their online courses and consider how to integrate LMS use effectively. Results imply that focus may need to be on how learner to learner interactions can be best supported through the application of LMS. Practical implications This information will enable educators to identify, measure and evaluate their online courses and consider how to integrate LMS use effectively. Social implications Learner-to-learner interaction through social networking platforms may be more beneficial in socially constructing knowledge than formalizing interaction through LMS. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of online learning by suggesting that the importance of some types of learner interactions may be overestimated in relation to the importance of LMS use.