CLINED 703 : Learning in Small Groups

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores how clinicians operate as members and leaders of groups, and the conditions underlying effective group function both in education and the workplace.

Course Overview

The primary aim of this course is to help clinical teachers facilitate learning through small groups. Students will first learn how small groups function and then about methods for facilitating small group learning. The course is practically focused and considers ways of conducting, reflecting upon and evaluating small group activities. The course encourages students to build on their own experiences and practice with small groups, to consider relevant theories of learning and group dynamics, and to develop new skills that can be applied to their teaching and learning environment. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply the theory underpinning small group teaching and learning (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1 and 5.2)
  2. Evaluate the functions, roles and approaches to facilitation for small group learning (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.2)
  3. Design and plan small group sessions (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1 and 5.1)
  4. Justify methods relevant to their small group teaching and learning (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3 and 6.2)
  5. Apply strategies to address problems in small group learning (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 6.2)
  6. Justify approaches to evaluation of small group sessions (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 5.2, 5.3 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 25% Individual Coursework
Assignment 45% Individual Coursework
Assignment 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Submitting Assignments Late
Assignments are expected to be submitted by the prescribed due date. If you are unable to submit a piece of work on time due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the course administrator before the due date. The course co-coordinators will then consider your request. If extenuating circumstances are deemed to apply, then you may be given up to two weeks beyond the prescribed due date within which to complete the assignment without incurring a penalty. Otherwise, assignments received beyond the due date without prior agreement will not normally receive more than a ‘pass' grade.
You will receive detailed feedback on your assignments identifying areas of strength as well as areas for further development or improvement. We will normally provide feedback and your marks within three weeks of submitting the assignment. 

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator 
Dr Tanisha Jowsey
Senior Lecturer 
Centre for Medical & Health Sciences Education
Email: t.jowsey@auckland.ac.nz

Other Teaching Staff 
Dr Rain Lamdin
Lecturer
Centre for Medical & Health Sciences Education
r.lamdin@auckland.ac.nz

Associate Professor Andy Wearn
Director of Assessment & Deputy Head, Medical Programme Directorate
a.wearn@auckland.ac.nz


Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 0 hours of lectures, a 8 hour tutorial, 80 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 62 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

In 2019, students evaluated this course via a Qualtrics survey. Students were most satisfied with the quality of the course. They commented that they liked the structure of the course, the interaction of the teachers, the workshop and the resources. They suggested more face-to-face contact and consideration of an alternative recommended textbook for the course. 

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 06/07/2020 09:50 a.m.