The background and experience of neuroscience teachers in Australian universities: A cross-sectional survey.

Neuroscience is an academic discipline taught within a broad range of university degrees and programs. The expertise and experience of neuroscience teaching staff contribute to the student's learning experience and knowledge acquisition. We undertook a survey to characterize the neuroscience teaching workforce and practices in Australian universities, and to investigate access to and deficiencies in neuroscience teaching resources and training. Two hundred neuroscience teaching staff completed our anonymous online survey. The responses indicated that neuroscience is primarily being delivered by highly qualified (86% with doctoral degrees, 27% with formal qualifications in tertiary teaching), research-active (45% were recently primary supervisors of research students) teaching academics with secure employment (77% in full-time continuing positions). There were more females (61.5%) than males (38.5%) in the sample and most respondents taught neuroscience to students enrolled in a range of degrees/programs. Most survey respondents could access an anatomy laboratory for teaching (87%) but access to specialised online resources, such as augmented reality presentations, customised game-based learning approaches, and/or online brain atlases, was limited. Most survey respondents reported they would benefit from increased access to neuroscience teaching resources and/or peer-tested teaching materials (80%), an informal network of Australian neuroscience teaching peers (64%), and/or training workshops on neuroscience teaching (59%). Approximately half of survey respondents supported the creation of national guidelines for neuroscience teaching curricula. The survey results identify specific gaps in teacher training and resources and inform the development of strategies to support tertiary teachers of neuroscience and student learning.

Undergraduate dental sleep medicine teaching at German university dental schools - a questionnaire-based survey.

PURPOSE: Diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires fundamental understanding of sleep medicine, including training and clinical experience. So far, dental sleep medicine (DSM) has not yet become a mandatory part of dental education in Germany. This questionnaire-based survey for both lecturers and students aimed to evaluate DSM education among undergraduate students. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was sent to the managing directors and student councils of all 30 German university dental schools. The questionnaire contained 13 questions on teaching quantity and content, lecturers' knowledge, and future interest in DSM. For each university dental school, only one questionnaire should be completed by the student council and the managing director. A scoring system assessed lecturers' knowledge based on clinical experience and qualifications. Descriptive data and correlation coefficients were calculated (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The responses of 24 lecturers (80%) and 28 students (93.3%) could be evaluated. DSM was reported to be included in the curriculum by 14 lecturers (58.3%) and 4 students (14.3%). Mean teaching hours per semester were 1.4 ± 1.4 h (lecturers) and 0.2 ± 0.6 h (students) accordingly. Greater knowledge of lecturers in DSM was positively correlated with the inclusion of DSM in the curriculum (P = 0.022) and with the number of teaching hours per semester (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Postgraduate education and incorporating DSM knowledge into undergraduate education ("Teach the Teacher") seems to play a key role in fundamentally training future dentists in this field.

Presentation skills teaching in anaesthesia.

Presentation is a communication method to convey information within a specific time, involving judgment, decision-making and critical thinking. Incorporation of teaching- learning-assessment of presentation skills is essential in medical curriculum because medical education involves presentations such as case reports, seminar, and conferences. The presentation skills equip 'the future doctors' to be at par with the ever-advancing world of technology, artificial intelligence and globalisation. The presentations should involve effective constructive feedback to enhance the effectiveness of presentation skills in medical curriculum.

Motivation to learn: an international multilevel study on student autonomy and teacher emphasis on content usefulness / Motivación para aprender: un estudio internacional multinivel sobre la autonomía de los estudiantes y el énfasis de los docentes en la utilidad del contenido

En la educación superior, pocos estudios relacionan factores contextuales en la clase, como el énfasis del profesor en la utilidad del contenido y las características motivacionales de los estudiantes. El objetivo fue probar un modelo multinivel sobre la relación entre el énfasis del docente en la utilidad del contenido durante la clase, la autonomía de los estudiantes y, a su vez, la motivación para aprender. Participaron 3033 estudiantes universitarios matriculados de 1º a 4º grado de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, de universidades de España (N = 602), Portugal (N = 469), México (N = 1177), Chile (N = 372), y Brasil (N = 413). Se realizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales multinivel, en el que los participantes respondieron preguntas sobre el énfasis del profesor en la utilidad del contenido de la clase, la autonomía y la motivación para aprender. Se hipotetizó que el énfasis del profesor en la utilidad del contenido predecía la autonomía del estudiante que, por su vez, predecía la motivación para aprender. Los resultados, a nivel grupal e individual, indican que el énfasis del docente en la utilidad del contenido predijo la autonomía del estudiante, y la autonomía predijo la motivación para aprender.(AU)

Teacher autonomy support is related to improved student learn-ing. In higher education, few studies relate classroom contextual factors, such as teacher emphasis on content usefulness, and students' motivational characteristics. The aim was to test a multilevel model about the relation between the extent of teachers’ emphasis on the usefulness of class con-tent with student autonomy, and, in turn, on motivation to learn. The par-ticipants were 3033 university students enrolled from 1st to 4th grade of Sciences of the Physical Activity and Sport, from universities in Spain (N = 602), Portugal (N = 469), Mexico (N = 1177), Chile (N = 372), and Brazil (N = 413). A multilevel structural equation model was performed, in which participants answered questions about the teacher's emphasis on the use-fulness of class content, basic psychological need for autonomy, and moti-vation to learn. At the group and individual levels, the hypothesis is that the teacher's emphasis on the usefulness of class content predict the stu-dent autonomy, in turn, student autonomy predicts student motivation to learn. Results found at the group level and at the individual level the strength of teacher emphasis on class content predicted student autonomy; student autonomy predicted student motivation to learn.(AU)

Reflective practice of nurse residents in the teaching-learning process in teaching hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze reflective practice in the teaching-learning process of nurses in residency programs in teaching hospitals in Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Case study, based on the reflective practice framework, conducted in two teaching hospitals. Observation and interviews were conducted with first and second-year residents, and five participants were included for in-depth analysis, with their data subjected to frequency distribution analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis. RESULTS: In 519 observed activities, elements of reflection were identified in 22.2%, especially active listening and expression of doubts. Discourses indicated practice as the best moment for teaching-learning due to its potential to generate reflections. Learning by doing and case discussion were considered potential strategies for reflective learning. CONCLUSION: Know-in-action reflection was evidenced as the predominant formative aspect for residents, with few opportunities for reflection on reflection-in-action.

Does lecture playback speed not affect memory and concentration in medical students?

Merhavy et al.'s study on the impact of lecture playback speeds on concentration and memory is valuable as it is one of the few studies on how different playback speeds may affect medical students' learning. However, despite the novelty of this study, some limitations concerning its methodological rigor, including statistical analyses, lack of evaluation of confounders, unclear characteristics of participants, and lack of a true control group, need to be considered in the interpretation of findings.

Impact of Teaching Methods on Clinical Reasoning in Forensic Medicine: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of flipped classroom and video-assisted learning techniques with didactic lectures in promoting clinical reasoning skills in Forensic Medicine. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Forensic Medicine, Dow International Medical College and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, from May to October 2023. METHODOLOGY: The study included 114 third-year medical students divided into three predefined tutorial groups. Over four weeks, within the Forensic Medicine respiratory module, each group was taught one topic per week using a distinct teaching strategy: Traditional lectures (TL) for the first group, flipped classroom (FC) method for the second group, and video-assisted teaching (VAT) for the third group. Students' learning achievements and clinical reasoning skills were assessed through a pre-test, post-test, and revision post-test. RESULTS: Pre-test scores showed no significant differences among the groups (p = 0.655). However, post-test scores differed significantly (F2:111 = 11.93, p <0.001). Tukiye's test indicated that the mean score for the FC group was significantly different from the TL group (p = 0.003) and the VAT group (p <0.001), but there was no significant difference between the TL and VAT groups (p = 0.422). The revision post-test indicated a significant decrease in mean scores across all groups, regardless of the instructional approach (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: The FC approach for teaching clinical reasoning in Forensic Medicine shows promising results, effectively improving student performance and learning experience. KEY WORDS: Flipped classroom, Video-assisted teaching, Clinical reasoning, Forensic Medicine teaching.

An interprofessional approach to teaching genetics in an undergraduate nursing curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Precision health is rapidly becoming a means to individualized approaches to managing health and thus necessitating a nursing workforce with an understanding of genomics and genetics. However, today's nurse in has limited knowledge in precision health, impacting the ability to educate patients and families. METHOD: To address this gap, an interprofessional PhD-prepared faculty team comprised of a nurse educator and a molecular biologist developed an undergraduate genetics course. The multiple teaching strategies include active learning modules, problem-based learning and a final debate. RESULTS: The teaching methods were augmented multiple times based on student feedback. The debate activity replaced a poster assignment and student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. CONCLUSION: Multiple strategies were used to deliver genomics and genetics content to nursing students that culminate in application-based activities such as case studies and the debate activity have potential to broaden student perspectives. Prospective course changes include increasing the credits for the course, adding time during the debate for rebuttal development and inviting speakers.

Change in expectations: A policy recommendation for future and current nurse educators.

Currently, there are no standardized requirements for pedagogical preparation for nurse educators at the state and national level. Various stakeholders have identified an issue in the preparation of nurse educators in academia. Current recommendations are that faculty have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017); however, requirements do not include educational preparation prior to or concurrent with starting a faculty position. This policy paper highlights a recommendation to require one of the following: the Certified Nurse Educator credential or certificate in teaching for educators without prior formal education in pedagogy. Outcomes of such a requirement would include nurse educators have a better understanding of the science of nursing education and preparation related to teaching. A second outcome is students receive an education that uses evidence-based teaching methods.

What's in your social determinants of health teaching toolbox? Nursing pedagogical considerations.

Although the concept of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) has been around for more than two decades, teaching methods and standards of curricula for nursing education related to SDOH are relatively new concepts. Here, we explore pedagogical frameworks, national standards, and recent progress in the study and implementation of SDOH curricula and the top teaching strategies implemented in various nursing and healthcare disciplines and across educational levels (undergraduate and graduate programs). Selected examples are used to illustrate lessons learned across disciplines in effective teaching strategies related to SDOH. Effective teaching strategies include experiential learning, longitudinal and community-based interactions, reflective opportunities, and structured assessment.

Applying the science of learning to teacher professional development and back again: Lessons from 3 country contexts.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from the science of learning suggests that playful learning pedagogical approaches exist along a spectrum and can support student learning. Leveraging active engagement, iterative, socially interactive, meaningful, and joyful interactions with content also supports student learning. Translating these concepts into guidance and support for teachers is lacking. METHOD: We introduce a tool designed to support teachers in implementing across the facilitation spectrum and leverage the characteristics that help children learn. Across three international contexts, we engaged with 1207 teachers and the tool was used 4911 times. RESULTS: Student age, the intended learning goal, and context influenced teachers' use of the tool, suggesting that contextualization is critical, even when basing programs on evidence-based, universal principles given by the science of learning. CONCLUSION: Science of learning research must be effectively translated but we must use evidence from teachers and real-life classrooms to inform those studying the science of learning.

Where did pre-service teachers, teachers, and the general public learn neuromyths? Insights to support teacher training.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyths may negatively influence teacher practice. Knowing where people learned misinformation can prevent its propagation and improve teacher training. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of neuromyths, their sources, and whether they influence teacher practice. METHOD: 157 participants (teachers, pre-service teachers, and the general public), assessed four neuromyths statements on a 4-point Likert scale. They indicate their sources, and if they were educators, whether they influenced their teacher practice. RESULTS: Participants showed over 50 % agreement in neuromyths, and approximately 30 % of teachers reported using teaching strategies based on these misconceptions. Information sources included social media, instructional materials, books, as well as interactions with peers. CONCLUSION: These results underscore the need to avoid the spread of neuromyths, especially the learning styles myth, targeting training courses and educational materials. Most teachers remember where they learned about neuromyths, which may help to identify the sources.

Evaluation of influencing factors of China university teaching quality based on fuzzy logic and deep learning technology.

Nowadays, colleges and universities focus on the assessment model for considering educational offers, suitable environments, and circumstances for students' growth, as well as the influence of Teaching Quality (TQ) and the applicability of the skills promoted by teaching to life. Teaching excellence is an important evaluation metric at the university level, but it is challenging to determine it accurately due to its wide range of influencing factors. Fuzzy and Deep Learning (DL) approaches must be could to build an assessment model that can precisely measure the teaching qualities to enhance accuracy. Combining fuzzy logic and DL can provide a powerful approach for assessing the influencing factors of college and university teaching effects by implementing the Sequential Intuitionistic Fuzzy (SIF) assisted Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model proposed. Sequential Intuitionistic Fuzzy (SIF) can be used sets to assess factors that affect teaching quality to enhance teaching methods and raise the standard of education. LSTM model to create a predictive model that can pinpoint the primary factors that influence teaching quality and forecast outcomes in the future using those influencing factors for academic growth. The enhancement of the SIF-LSTM model for assessing the influencing factors of teaching quality is proved by the accuracy of 98.4%, Mean Square Error (MSE) of 0.028%, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) measure for all influencing factors and entropy measure of non-membership and membership degree correlation of factors related to quality in teaching by various dimensional measures. The effectiveness of the proposed model is validated by implementing data sources with a set of 60+ teachers' and students' open-ended questionnaire surveys from a university.

A combination of case-based learning with flipped classroom improved performance of medical students in nephrology bedside teaching.

BACKGROUND: Bedside teaching remains a challenging endeavor for clinical doctors and medical students, as the students often encounter difficulties in applying their knowledge to clinical situations. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combining case-based learning (CBL) with a flipped classroom (FC) approach in nephrology bedside teaching. METHODS: A total of 92 medical students were enrolled in this study, including clerks and interns. The students were assigned into two groups. The CBL/FC group students received the combined teaching approach of CBL and FC (CBL/FC). Students who received the traditional lecture-based teaching (LBT) approach were treated as the control group. General knowledge tests, clinical case scenarios, and questionnaires were used to evaluate the teaching efficacy. RESULTS: Ninety-two students were included in this study. Overall, 46 students were assigned to the CBL/FC group, while the other 46 students were assigned to the LBT group. The students in both groups showed comparable performance in the knowledge test. However, in clinical case scenarios, students in the CBL/FC group demonstrated superior performance compared to those in the LBT group. Additionally, the analysis of questionnaires revealed that the CBL/FC group students expressed more positive attitudes toward their proficiency in medical history taking, physical examination, medical record documentation, clinical reasoning, and consideration for patients' welfare. Moreover, the students from the CBL/FC group regarded the CBL/FC teaching approach as an effective and satisfying method without increasing the learning burden. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the CBL/FC combined teaching approach shows promise in nephrology education and provides an effective and alternative format for medical teaching.

A bird's-eye view of research practices in mathematical cognition, learning, and instruction: Reimagining the status quo.

Research on mathematical cognition, learning, and instruction (MCLI) often takes cognition as its point of departure and considers instruction at a later point in the research cycle. In this article, we call for psychologists who study MCLI to reflect on the "status quo" of their research practices and to consider making instruction an earlier and more central aspect of their work. We encourage scholars of MCLI (a) to consider the needs of educators and schools when selecting research questions and developing interventions; (b) to compose research teams that are diverse in the personal, disciplinary, and occupational backgrounds of team members; (c) to make efforts to broaden participation in research and to conduct research in authentic settings; and (d) to communicate research in ways that are accessible to practitioners and to the general public. We argue that a more central consideration of instruction will lead to shifts that make research on MCLI more theoretically valuable, more actionable for educators, and more relevant to pressing societal challenges.

A novel IDEA(-R) for a small group teaching format.

We present a novel small group teaching format (termed IDEA-R), ideal for deliberate targeting and escalation of cognitive learning tasks. Additionally, this approach is ideal for smaller postgraduate programs which struggle to predict trainee attendance far in advance, as it provides a flexible format that can adapt to in-the-moment fluctuations in trainee numbers.

Nous présentons un nouveau format d'enseignement en petits groupes (appelé IDEA-R), idéal pour le ciblage délibéré et l'escalade des tâches d'apprentissage cognitif. En outre, cette approche est parfaite pour les petits programmes de troisième cycle qui ont du mal à prévoir la participation des stagiaires longtemps à l'avance, car elle offre un format flexible qui peut s'adapter aux fluctuations instantanées du nombre de stagiaires.

Disrupting the Master Narrative in Academic Biology as LGBTQ+ Ph.D. Students: Learning, Teaching, and Conducting Research.

LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination and stigma in academic biology. These challenges are likely magnified for graduate students. However, there have been no studies documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ life sciences graduate students. To address this gap, we conducted an interview study of 22 biology PhD students from 13 universities across the United States who identify as LGBTQ+. We used the master narrative framework to interpret our findings. Master narratives are guidelines that dictate the "expected" and "normal" way one is supposed to navigate life. We considered how graduate students engage with the societal master narrative that treats cisheterosexuality as the norm, as well as the master narrative that expects biology to remain an objective, apolitical space. We found that LGBTQ+ PhD students recognize the anti-LBGTQ+ narratives in academic biology, which can result in instances of discrimination and encourage them to conceal their identities. However, participants pushed back against these master narratives. Graduate students described creating alternative narratives by highlighting how their LGBTQ+ identity has allowed them to become more inclusive instructors and better researchers. Some also purposely reveal their LGBTQ+ identity in academic biology, violating the master narrative that non-science identities should not be discussed in the life sciences.

Factors Influencing the Use of Evidence-based Instructional Practices by Community College Biology Instructors.

Evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs) have been shown to benefit students in undergraduate biology, but little is known about the degree to which community college (CC) biology instructors use EBIPs or the barriers they encounter. We surveyed CC biology instructors to characterize how they use EBIPs, their capacity to use EBIPs, and perceived barriers to their use, and to explore which factors are associated with EBIP use. CC biology instructors report using EBIPs to a similar degree as other populations of undergraduate biology faculty; they generally believe EBIPs to be effective and are motivated to use EBIPs. Consistent with the theory of planned behavior, instructor belief in EBIP effectiveness, collegial support, and perceived knowledge of and skill in using EBIPs positively influence their use. The main barriers to using EBIPs reported by CC instructors included the need to cover large amounts of course content, lack of time to prepare for using EBIPs, and student resistance. Our findings point to a number of approaches that may promote the use of EBIPs by CC biology instructors, including professional development to increase instructor knowledge and skill, addressing tensions between content volume and the use of EBIPs, and providing resources to make implementing EBIPs time efficient.

"(Not) knowing what you know": Exploring educators' perceptions of critical thinking in occupational therapy.

BACKGROUND: Critical thinking is key for responsible occupational therapy practice. However, the degree to which educators understand critical thinking and the conceptualizations of such concept in teaching remains unclear. AIM: This study aimed to describe occupational therapy educators' perceptions and experiences of teaching critical thinking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Social constructivism underpins the study. Eight participants were included in three online synchronous focus groups. One participant was interviewed in person due to time constraints. Data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: This study reveals a considerable diversity of perceptions and experiences of ambiguity regarding educators' perceptions of what they know about and how to teach critical thinking. Most educators interpret critical thinking in ways that differs from their colleagues. Furthermore, educators encounter divergent expectations pertaining to their role as educators and the readiness of their students. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveal a paradox within the occupational therapy profession, where critical thinking is highly valued yet educators experience ambiguity, differing expectations of their role, time constraints, and lack of formal education to support students' development of critical thinking. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides the foundation for further inquiry into the invisible effects and benefits of different understandings of critical thinking on occupational therapy practice.

Teaching troubleshooting skills to graduate students.

Troubleshooting is an important part of experimental research, but graduate students rarely receive formal training in this skill. In this article, we describe an initiative called Pipettes and Problem Solving that we developed to teach troubleshooting skills to graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. An experienced researcher presents details of a hypothetical experiment that has produced unexpected results, and students have to propose new experiments that will help identify the source of the problem. We also provide slides and other resources that can be used to facilitate problem solving and teach troubleshooting skills at other institutions.