Using the Intended–Enacted–Experienced Curriculum Model to Map the Vision and Change Core Competencies in Undergraduate Biology Programs and Courses

This study applies the intended-enacted-experienced curriculum model to map the Vision and Change core competencies across undergraduate biology courses. A five-department pilot of a curriculum mapping survey is followed by a deep dive of 10 courses to provide a rich snapshot of current core competency teaching and assessment practices.

Core Competencies for a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist – a Delphi study

Background After completing university education Biomedical Laboratory Scientists work in clinical laboratories, in biomedical research laboratories, in biotech, and in pharmaceutical companies. Laboratory diagnostics have undergone rapid development over the recent years, and the pace shows no signs of abatement. Rapid development challenges the competence of the staff and will most certainly influence the education of future staff. This study was aimed to examine what was considered the necessary competencies needed to pursue a career as a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist Methods A modified Delphi technique was used, and the panel of experts expressed their views in a three questionnaire series. Consensus was defined as the point when 75% or more of the panel participants agreed that a particular competence was necessary. Results The study highlights the perceived importance of mostly generic competencies that relate to quality, quality assurance, and accuracy, as well as different aspects of safety, respect, trustworthiness (towards patients/clients and colleagues), and communication skills. The results also stress the significance of self-awareness and professionality. Conclusions We identified important competencies for Biomedical Laboratory Scientists. Together with complementary information from other sources, i.e., guidelines, laws, and scientific publications, the competencies identified can be used as learning outcomes in a competency-based education to provide students with all competencies needed to work as professional Biomedical Laboratory Scientists.

Identification of the role of oral health educators in elementary schools during COVID-19 pandemic: a competency framework

Objective Oral health educators should have the required knowledge, skills and attitude in order to meet the increased needs of the Ministry of Education in Syria as well as to perform their duties in promoting oral health in children appropriately during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify core competencies required for oral health educators in elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative exploratory study was undertaken. A focus group which consisted of 5 Medical Education postgraduates and 3 oral health educators’ training team members were invited to formulate a preliminary list of basic competencies. Delphi technique was also adopted through inviting 12 experts in oral health education to evaluate and formulate a final list of elementary schools’ oral health educators’ competencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results A competency framework was developed. Fifty-five competencies were identified including 35 in cognitive domain, 12 skills and 8 attitude competencies. A list of essential competencies has been identified. These competencies should be addressed in training programs targeting oral health educators, which can consequently produce competent educators who can successfully promote and provide health care to all schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Establishing core competencies, opportunities, roles and expertise for oncology social work

Summary While oncology social workers are the primary providers of psychosocial services, they vary in what they do and how they work across different cancer care settings. Standards of Practice suggest that there exists a core or universal set of activities and tasks that are grounded in the values and principles of social work and apply across all settings. The purpose of this study was to identify activities that delineate and distinguish Competencies, Opportunities, Roles and Expertise (CORE) for oncology social work. Research was conducted using Concept Mapping, a structured and prescribed approach to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data while engaging stakeholders in the research process. Findings An expert panel of oncology social work practitioners, academicians, and leaders in the field (n = 35) generated 91 practice behaviors that were subject to card sorting and ratings of importance. A visual map consisting of six clusters best represented the statistical fit of the data (stress value = 0.18) while maintaining the most meaningful categorization of individual statements. These six domains were as follows: Clinical Assessment and Intervention (38 items; mean importance = 3.31); Professional Advocacy and Political Action (5 items; mean importance = 3.03); Case Management and Care Coordination (16 items; mean importance = 3.02); Patient Education and Advocacy (8 items; mean importance = 2.82); Organizational Support and Service (12 items; mean importance = 2.74); Professional Education (12 items; mean importance = 2.45). Application These results may inform initiatives related to social work education and training, credentialing and certification, health policy, research and advocacy on behalf of patients, families, communities, and the profession.

Correlations among Perception, Emotion and Behavior in Sustainable Development of Mathematical Creativity Competency of Primary School Students in Vietnam

Vietnam is currently in the process of renovating the general educational curriculum, shifting from a content-based to a competency-based approach, with mathematical creativity as one of the core competencies. This paper aims to determine the correlations of perception, emotion, and behavior in sustainable development of mathematical creativity for primary school students in Vietnam. Analysis of 5th graders’ survey results in different regions in Vietnam (N = 903) shows that perception and emotion are highly correlated with the p-value Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.000 (<0.01); emotion and behavior are also correlated positively with the p-value Sig. (2-tailed) < 0.01, while perception and behavior also have a positive correlation with the p-value Sig. < 0.01. From the analysis, there are positive correlations of perception, emotion, and behavior, in which the role of emotion has the strongest effect on the process of teaching mathematical creativity for Vietnamese primary school students. At the same time, the analysis results show that there is no vast difference between students’ perception, emotion, and behavior amongst the urban, plain, and mountainous areas in Vietnam. The paper affirms the necessity to discover and strengthen students’ mathematical creativity from the primary school levels to equip human resources with essential competencies to face future obstacles in achieving sustainable development. Received: 19 October 2021 / Accepted: 7 December 2021 / Published: 3 January 2022

Five Critical Domains of Effective Leadership in Higher Education Administration

Higher education today consists of a complex myriad of varying levels with individuals tasked to perform multiple roles and responsibilities. Faculty and staff find themselves tasked with multiple responsibilities and fewer resources. Many who embark on the journey of becoming academic administrators and leaders in higher education often do so based on their technical expertise and successes as a faculty member within the institution. Few organizations prepare faculty to step into leadership roles with the appropriate training. One area which often lacks training is in the area of individual leadership capabilities and connecting with others within the organization to accomplish a common goal. This chapter will provide insight into five critical domains necessary for individuals to focus on developing before entering into a leadership role within a higher education institution. Within each domain are central and core competencies which help to determine effectiveness in higher education leadership.

Models of Effective Writing Methods in Teacher Preparation

To shed some light on how writing methods are currently taught in a variety of programs across the United States and continue examining high-quality writing educators, the present chapter presents five distinct models for teacher preparation. These models are the result of meeting state-level standards; national standards through the International Literacy Association (ILA); and core competencies from research, theory, and practice. The course models represent the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast, showing diversity across the United States. Specifically in the present chapter, the researchers (1) present effective models of writing instruction; (2) provide examples of integrated approaches to research, theory, and practice for writing instruction; and (3) examine limitations and opportunities within each model. The goal of the present chapter is to outline these models in the hopes that other programs can modify and replicate the models that best fit their unique demographics, needs, and literacy standards.

A Fuzzy System for Evaluating Human Resources in Project Management

The key lubricants for the necessary functioning of any organization are money, machines, time, and humans. Human resources is the most important ingredient among them. Most projects fail because of ineptitude of those who administer the project, notably in government projects. Alternatively, advertisement for expert positions suffers as a result of poor coverage, late responses, non-transparency, and subjective selection during recruitment process. This work proposes a fuzzy system for the evaluation of human resources for the management of projects in core areas where professional services are expedient for supervision. It exposes the level of experience on the job, core competencies, exposure, and knowledge scope. A prototype fuzzy system for evaluation of human resource for project management, consisting of a user friendly menu-driven interface, was developed for evaluating the suitability of professionals for different roles within a project team. At the end of the work, it is expected that governments, companies, and various donor agencies would find the system useful when embarking on projects for an optimal result.