Assessing the impact of the Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Instruction: A post‐degree survey

There are few graduate programs available for pursuing a doctorate in anatomy where students gain specific training in gross anatomy dissection and the responsibilities of a medical educator. In light of this fact, the University of Kentucky created a Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Instruction in 2006. This 12‐credit hour curriculum includes detailed training in gross anatomy and/or neuroscience courses, practicum experiences, a seminar class in pedagogical literature, and a course in educational strategies for the anatomical sciences. The award of certificate completion affirms that the candidate has demonstrated faculty‐supervised proficiency in anatomy dissection, instruction in anatomy topics, and teaching strategies for anatomy. Seventeen graduate students have earned the certificate since its inception; nine students accepted teaching positions in anatomy following their graduate training and currently nine certificate graduates have assistant (six) or associate (three) professor positions in academia. In 2016, an anonymous survey including Likert‐style and open‐ended questions was emailed to all certificate graduates. Graduates favorably responded (each question averaged 4.4 or greater out of 5) that the certificate increased their awareness of teaching‐faculty responsibilities, adequately prepared them for teaching‐related duties, and positively contributed toward their first employment. Graduates indicated that the lecturing and dissection experience, awareness of faculty responsibilities, and job preparation (e.g., teaching philosophy development) were the most helpful aspects of the certificate. These results indicate that the Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Instruction is viewed by its graduates and their employers as a valuable teaching credential that can be attained alongside a basic science degree. Anat Sci Educ 11: 516–524. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.     

An investigation into the complex process of facilitating effective professional learning: CPD tutors’ practices under the microscope

Background: Research evidence on what makes CPD effective is accumulating. Yet, fundamental questions about the specific features that lead to programme success. Furthermore, very little research investigates the nature and quality of CPD providers’ (tutors) practices. Taking a closer look at how CPD providers support teachers to learn is therefore an important direction for research in order to offer specific guidance on how to design and deliver future CPD programmes for maximum impact.

Purpose: The present study aimed to advance this line of inquiry by seeking to examine tutors’ perceptions and practices in the context of a short course on Inclusive Physical Education. Two research questions were addressed: (1) What were the tutors’ perceptions of effective CPD delivery? And (2) How were these interpretations evidenced in practice? The short course, delivered by 40 different tutors across the country, was part of a National CPD programme which reached and educated over 5000 school staff in England. The scale of this programme thus offered an ideal setting in which to address the research questions.

Participants and setting: A case study design was adopted where the case was identified at the level of individual courses. A cluster sampling procedure was adopted (one cluster for each of the nine geographical areas in England). Where possible, systematic sampling within the nine clusters was employed (i.e. collect evidence from the first two courses delivered in each cluster each year). A total of 27 courses, delivered by 20 tutors across eight geographical areas in England, were selected as cases and all tutors involved in their delivery were invited to participate in the study.

Data collection: To explore tutors’ perceptions of effective CPD delivery (research question 1), qualitative data were collected via an online questionnaire and individual interviews. To examine how these interpretations were evidenced in practice (research question 2), both quantitative and qualitative data were collected via systematic observations and ethnographic field notes.

Data analysis: Qualitative data were analysed using a constructivist approach to grounded theory. Quantitative data from the observations were entered into SPSS version 21 (IBM Statistics) for analysis.

Findings: Findings indicate that tutors’ perceptions and beliefs did not always materialise. Data from the observations suggest variation in the ways tutors structured, supported and facilitated professional learning. This variation was evident not only in the actual time dedicated to practical vs. theoretical activities and active vs. passive learning opportunities but also in tutors’ ability to facilitate professional learning. This finding suggests that there is a significant set of skills involved in supporting, nurturing and challenging professional learning in CPD contexts. It is therefore important to consider how tutors can be best supported to develop and implement these skills effectively.

Conclusion: The results consolidate existing understandings about the importance of (inter)active and practical learning opportunities in CPD; but also add nuance and detail on the diverse ways in which tutors engaged participants in the learning process. Findings draw our attention to the important issue of the selection and continuing education of CPD tutors.     

Protective Factors as Predictors of Suicide Risk Among Graduate Students

The purpose of this study was to examine protective factors as predictors of suicide risk among graduate students (n = 413) at a large midwestern university. Using binary logistic regression, the authors assigned students to risk classifications (i.e., nonrisk group or suicide risk group). Results indicated emotional stability as the strongest predictor for participants’ placement into the nonrisk or suicide risk group. The authors discuss implications for counselors and directors of college counseling centers, as well as directions for future research.     

Learning about assessment: the impact of two courses for higher education staff

This interview-based study investigated the impact of two academic development courses about assessment. Participants learnt concepts and terminology that enabled them to better understand and communicate about assessment. The courses also stimulated critical thinking about assessment practices and conceptual change, with ‘assessment for learning’ emerging as significant with the qualities of a threshold concept. Certain learning activities stood out as transformational as they supported the examination of assessment from different perspectives and the integration of implicit with explicit knowledge, but only if participants had sufficient workplace experience that they could link to the formal knowledge taught in the courses.     

创业自我效能与机会识别:创业教育的调节效应分析

提高我国大学生创业水平对于创新型国家建设和"大众创业、万众创新"国家战略实施意义重大,但缺乏对创业机会的识别一直是困扰大学生创业活动的难题之一。基于社会认知理论,探讨理论导向和实践导向创业教育分别对创业自我效能与机会识别的影响机制。通过对968名大学生组成的样本分析,结果表明学生的创业自我效能正向影响机会识别,理论导向和实践导向创业教育分别负向、正向调节从创业自我效能到机会识别的关系。基于研究结论,提出从提升创业自我效能、加大实践导向创业教育等方面促进大学生创业机会识别,从而提高大学生创业水平。     

测井系列课程的课程体系和教学改革研究

结合长江大学勘查技术与工程（测井方向）专业的学科特点和研究前沿,探讨既符合教育规律又能反映目前学科水平的测井系列课程。对当前测井教学系列课程体系和教学内容进行分析研究,指出存在的问题,并根据课程体系、教学内容和教学方法的特点,提出了测井系列课程体系改革的新思路。     

基于交叉学科的地球物理测井研究生教学探索

近年来,交叉学科的研究生教学是一个值得研究的问题。地球物理测井理论与应用本身就是涉及物理学、地质学、电子与信号处理的一个交叉学科,主要用于资源探测、工程探测和科学探测。本文根据中国科学院研究生院生源特点,从教学内容、教学方式与方法、教学效果与体会三个方面来介绍交叉学科的地球物理测井研究生的教学实践。     

构建研究生培养质量督导评估系统的探讨

针对研究生培养质量督导评估系统运行的基本目标,提出了构成研究生培养质量督导评估系统的其中三个方面：即教师教学工作质量评估、课程评估、学位论文质量评估,通过构建研究生培养质量督导评估系统,来确保研究生培养质量。     

互联网对河南省高校研究生体育意识影响的调查研究

运用文献资料法和调查法,对河南省高校研究生上网情况和体育意识的关系进行了研究。结果发现,互联网是高校研究生获取体育信息的重要渠道,网龄与研究生的体育意识成正相关,经常上网浏览体育信息的研究生的体育意识更强,互联网对提高研究生的体育意识有积极的作用。     

社会体育本科专业公共基础课设置比较研究——以江苏省普通高校为例

采用文献资料法、访谈法、数理统计法与逻辑分析法,对江苏省高校社会体育本科专业公共基础课程结构及设置进行了深入分析与比较研究。研究认为：江苏省高校社会体育本科专业公共基础课程是由政治思想品德类、教育科学类、方法工具类、人文社会科学类四大类课程组成,全省七所普通高校的社会体育本科专业公共基础课程平均学分为48.4学分,平均学时为812.1学时,其中公共必修课平均学分与学时分别为39.4学分和669.8学时。七所普通高校的社会体育本科专业公共基础课程共开设70门必修课程,平均每校开设10门。平均学分与学时与《规范》中学分要求相符,但课程结构及课程设置总体差异较大。