Master of Health Studies/
Master of Nursing (MHST/NURS) 624

Introduction

This course offers advanced preparation for educators and health practitioners from various disciplines who want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach theoretical and practical components of education programs for health professionals. The focus of this course is on theory and high-level conceptual knowledge as well as process issues specific to the education of health professionals. Course topics include:

• an overview of contemporary theories of learning applied to teaching in health disciplines,
• the influence of context and philosophical orientation on aspects of curriculum and pedagogical approaches,
• issues, responsibilities, and challenges of teaching in education programs for health professionals including licensure issues, scope of practice requirements and restrictions, legal issues, ethical considerations, government policies and regulations, evaluation and practice readiness, human resource issues, and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary practice environments,
• the role of the teacher of health disciplines, and
• academic leadership and faculty development.

Although the course covers many aspects of the broad subject of teaching in health disciplines, there are also opportunities for students to focus on specific topics of particular importance for their own learning. Students are expected to set personal learning objectives, make choices regarding their learning activities, independently seek resources that will help them achieve their learning goals, work with the instructor to ensure their learning objectives are achieved, and participate actively as full members of this virtual class. It is anticipated that participants will have a foundational knowledge of principles of teaching and learning before taking this course.

Course Goals

By the conclusion of MHST/NURS 624 students will be able to:

1. Understand various contemporary theories of learning and apply selected theories to aspects of health discipline education.
2. Critically discuss the influence of internal and external contextual factors and curriculum philosophies on curriculum development, design, implementation, and evaluation.
3. Explain the influence of context and curriculum philosophies on pedagogical strategies.
4. Critically examine current issues of importance for teachers of health professionals.
5. Discuss responsibilities and challenges faced by teachers of health discipline education.
6. Understand the role of teachers of health disciplines.
7. Explore academic leadership and faculty development in health discipline education.

Course Materials

MHST/NURS 624 comprises online and print-based course materials.

Textbooks

Online Resources

Online readings are suggested in the course and students will be asked to locate additional online resources that will assist them in achieving the course objectives. An online study guide is provided.

Special Course Features

In this course, you will access health-related websites worldwide. You will also participate in email and computer conferencing with other students. Students are expected to connect to an Internet Service Provider at their own expense.

Course Structure

MHST/NURS 624 is an asynchronous online course with a specific start and end date extending over one semester. There is no predetermined time each week when you must log on. However, at a specified time each week, the course instructor will make an online posting that relates to the topic of the week. The purpose of the weekly input by the instructor is to keep everyone focused on the same topic and to stimulate discussion. You are required to log on at least once a week. However, logging on several times a week is desirable so that discussion continues back and forth among participants.

Technical Requirements

Computer System

In order to successfully complete this course, you must own or have ready access to certain computer hardware and software programs. For complete and up-to-date information on the minimum computer requirements required to complete the graduate nursing courses, visit the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies technical site.

Course Outline

MHST/NURS 624 comprises the following six units:

• Unit 1: Developing the Groundwork: Orientation, Overview of Contemporary Theories of Learning
• Unit 2: The Influence of Context and Curriculum Philosophies on Curriculum Development, Design, Implementation, and Evaluation and on Pedagogy
• Unit 3: Issues, Challenges, and Responsibilities of Teachers in Health Disciplines
• Unit 4: The Role of the Teacher of Health Disciplines
• Unit 5: Academic Leadership and Faculty Development
• Unit 6: Integrating Personal Learning and Wrap-Up