Learners’ Needs and Practice-Based Learning Informing Tertiary Teaching

Last updated by: ako_admin (Ako Administrator) on 8 February 2010 - 3:39pm

In this Southern Hub funded project and report, Paul Watson and his team from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology’s School of Nursing and Human Services (CPIT) gathered information to assist educators to actively connect teaching with workplace learning.

While the project was based on the needs of practice nurses, the report will be of interest and value to all educators and trainers involved in practice-based learning.

The first two phases of the study identified the priority educational needs of practice nurses related to child and youth health and described the practice-based learning experiences of these nurses. The team next determined the implications of these findings for transforming curricula and teaching practices in workplace learning and developed a series of teaching and learning recommendations to guide and support practice-based learning.

The comprehensive recommendations have been grouped into the following areas:

  • Educational strategies
    • Develop responsive and innovative strategic educational planning
    • Promote evaluation of courses to inform design and delivery
    • Enhance industry and education providers’ collaboration
    • Recognise the importance of context in practice-based learning
    • Provide support for using information technology
  • Teaching practice
    • Provide opportunities for reciprocal and collaborative learning
    • Create safe learning environments
    • Utilise the professional skills of practice nurses in learning sessions
    • Incorporate preferred learning styles
    • Develop skills for online learning

 

(Philippa Seaton, Paul Watson, Jane Mountier, Deborah Sims)
  • Organisational supports
    • Provide support for ongoing professional development
    • Provide support for developing communities of practice
    • Provide opportunities to recognise and utilise experience
    • Encourage online learning
    • Develop support mechanisms for new practice nurses
  • Strategies for effective learning
    • Assist nurses to develop and use effective learning strategies
    • Maximise networking opportunities
    • Reinforce learning in the practice setting
    • Develop support mechanisms for new practice nurses

Read more or download the full project report

 

Parent group: 
Ako Aotearoa Southern Hub