HI all ....great week ha!
First of all I would like to wish a speedy recovery to our Michelle...GET WELL SOON!!
First of all I would like to wish a speedy recovery to our Michelle...GET WELL SOON!!
As regard the learning theories ; I agree with the behaviourist approach to learning, in my opinion when one is rewarded for his or her positive performance, they will be more likely to increase their confidence and progress in their course of studies. However, I believe that mentors need to be more aware of the humanistic learning theory because it values the learner as a human, and promotes a person centred approach to learning to expand one’s potential.
Later, we met Michelle and some other people. We truly enjoyed the hilarious show of Avenue Q J and a relaxing evening, I greatly recommend it...its really fun J!
Friday
Today during our MINE group session we focused on the assessment of practice, It seems that us Maltese are extremely concerned about their assessment of practice. Discussion was intense and there were common burning issues, especially by the Maltese and UK. In Malta we are continuously assessed by mentors, which in my opinion is excellent. This is a better system to a great extent than a one off assessment such as our final clinical exam, because you build up confidence with your mentor and therefore you will be more able to function competently. However, we are still concerned about the assessment process We fear about our relationship with the mentor, we are concerned about signing the domains by the end of the placement, the mentor’s perception of the assessment process and mostly the grading scale, because it reflects negatively on the student if s/he gets an exceptional level for one placement and after an overall good level for the second clinical placement. In my opinion more specific information as regards grading students is obligatory. Moreover, students must be aware on what is expected from them from each particular placement. I prefer that the mentors themselves will be systematically assessed by our educators l liked the idea of the orientation booklet for UK students, this facilitates their learning process, helps them to select objectives and assists them to familiarize themselves with the ward. I was stunned to the fact that the students from Finland are not concerned about their assessment process!!!
Later, we met Michelle and some other people. We truly enjoyed the hilarious show of Avenue Q J and a relaxing evening, I greatly recommend it...its really fun J!
Friday
Today during our MINE group session we focused on the assessment of practice, It seems that us Maltese are extremely concerned about their assessment of practice. Discussion was intense and there were common burning issues, especially by the Maltese and UK. In Malta we are continuously assessed by mentors, which in my opinion is excellent. This is a better system to a great extent than a one off assessment such as our final clinical exam, because you build up confidence with your mentor and therefore you will be more able to function competently. However, we are still concerned about the assessment process We fear about our relationship with the mentor, we are concerned about signing the domains by the end of the placement, the mentor’s perception of the assessment process and mostly the grading scale, because it reflects negatively on the student if s/he gets an exceptional level for one placement and after an overall good level for the second clinical placement. In my opinion more specific information as regards grading students is obligatory. Moreover, students must be aware on what is expected from them from each particular placement. I prefer that the mentors themselves will be systematically assessed by our educators l liked the idea of the orientation booklet for UK students, this facilitates their learning process, helps them to select objectives and assists them to familiarize themselves with the ward. I was stunned to the fact that the students from Finland are not concerned about their assessment process!!!
Happy weekend people !!
Cheers Alexis - i wish for a speedy recovery too!! I lost a few kilos in the process!! Be careful of the behavioural approach to learning - it focuses purely on action ... doing ... ie the cognitive and emotions are omitted in this theory, so too is the social context! There is certainly a place for behavioural theories of learning especially when it comes to skills acquisition.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very interesting point about the Maltese being assessment focused - thats the problem of our whole schooling system in malta where kids from a very early age are put under pressure to score high marks, so that they enter the best schools. I try very hard to remove the focus from the assessment and shift it over to the actual learning processes ... however, it looks like i havent been so successful in that part yet! Nevertheless, you make a very interesting point here.
Hi Alexis, I like your comments on mentorship, and I think sometimes in trying to please mentors, students are cautious about challenging them. I find learning theories fascinating, and I don't think any of them are 'bad', they all have a place, we just need to use them appropriately. One aspect of behavioursim that I believe is important is the notion of positive reinforcement to encourage repeating a behaviour. I think we need to praise people more often and say they've done well, not just pull them up if they do something wrong. Useful and prompt assessment feedback is also a means for offering students positive reinforcement. Looking forward to next week, it feels like it will be a good one !
ReplyDeleteI like this and I totally agree with the mentors valuing our learning because nursing is unappreciated as it is and one wouldn't want their mentor to not value them as the job is hard enough so more holistic support from mentors please ....not that we will come to you all with playground issues but we are the future you; so to conclude please value us.
ReplyDeleteHi Alexis, good appinions. We hope that we will have a good week together, all the group. Sisko
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