Core Educator Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes module (BM42001)

The relationship between education and clinical practice is increasingly important. Doctors capable of meeting the challenges of delivering safe and effective healthcare in rapidly changing social and cultural contexts require a firm understanding of:

• how medicine is taught and assessed
• how to critique and improve educational processes within the healthcare system
• the educational and social policies which influence the structure of medical training
   

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• learn about learning theories, educational strategies and learning styles
• learn about the learning environment and its impact on learning and teaching
• develop key study skills
• plan and design teaching and learning activities in a variety of different contexts
• explore the application of technology in learning, teaching and assessment
• learn about the principles of curriculum design development and evaluation
• learn about the impact of social and educational policies on medical education in both a local and wider context

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• know and evaluate the role, purpose and range of assessment strategies 
• know how to apply a range of methods to their teaching and evaluate its value
• know of formative and summative assessment techniques and their application to medical education
• understand and apply basic quality assurance standards to the evaluation of your own teaching and assessment practice
• situate the influence of policy on educational practice
• evaluate the effect of social and educational policy on medical education
• analyse relevant policy documents
• identify the social and political influences upon the development of policy
• identify factors influencing the content taught and methods used within the medical programme
• identify common learning approaches taken by learners
• analyse relevant theories applicable to curriculum design, teaching methods, assessment and quality assurance
• demonstrate the application of basic educational theory to their practice and evaluate their teaching situation
• identify, evaluate and apply the range of technologies which can support teaching and assessment approaches
• understand  what you want your students to learn
• apply strategies to encourage learning
• recognise when a student has learned and evaluate its value
• identify and demonstrate the application of technologies to support their learning

Assignments / assessment

• essay 1 - 3,000 words (50%)
• essay 2 - 3,000 words (50%)

This module does not have a final exam

Teaching methods / timetable

This module is a mix of prescribed and self-directed learning activities. All teaching is planned to be face-to-face within the University.

• informal seminars and tutorials - 50 hours
• small group workshops - 50 hours
• independent study/completion of assessment tasks - 100 hours

External activities

Throughout the course it is anticipated there will be opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the concepts underpinning this module by visiting relevant institutions and engaging in academic events. Examples of such opportunities in recent iterations of the programme are:

• Visiting the Scottish Parliament and meeting the local Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).
• Visiting the General Medical Council's Scottish headquarters.
• Attending local and national academic conferences such as:
  • ASME Researching Medical Education Conference.
  • NADEGS conference (Scottish Academic Primary Care Conference).
  • The University of Dundee General Practice Undergraduate Educators Conference.