A Competency-based,
Problem-based, and Distance Learning Facilitating Session on Skin and
Soft Tissue Problems for Year Level III Medical Students
of Southwestern University College of Medicine
A Report of an Experience
Reynaldo O. Joson,
MD, MHPEd
1999
From September to October, 1999, I acted as a facilitator for a group of Year Level III medical students of Southwestern University College of Medicine on Skin and Soft Tissue Problems.
I conducted the course using competency-based, problem-based, and distance learning modes and strategies.
On September 24, 1999, I was in Cebu having a face-to-face session with the students. For 4 hours, using the session one of the problem-based learning format, we discussed the overview of skin and soft tissue problems. We ended up with a learning contract on learning issues, learning objectives, study plan, as well as evaluation plan. In essence, we determined what competencies were needed for a primary health care physicians when confronted with problems of skin and soft tissues in individuals as well as in the communities. The needed competencies were incorporated in the learning contract.
One week after, I received through email reports on learning issues. One month after I received also through email reports of overview and hypothetical patient management on specific skin and soft tissue problems. During this time too, I found a good learning resource in the Internet, an atlas of skin diseases hosted by the University of Iowa Department of Dermatology. I transmitted this information to the students and asked them to study the pictures.
On October 20, 1999, I went back to Cebu and gave written objective examination as well as essay-written practical examination.
Although 4 students did not pass the written objective exam, all passed the essay-practical examination. I asked the students to refine their answers in the written practical examination and then submit to me through email. They did. With more weights on the reports and essay practical examinations, all the students passed the course.
The details of the activities are recorded in the following webpages:
http://members.tripod.com/joson.rey/skinsofttissues/skinsofttissues.htm
I am elated with this experience. So are the students.
This is the first time that we have experienced such a teaching-learning session.
What I need to do now is to refine the course by providing a more comprehensive pretest and posttest questions and more learning resources through the net.
I intend to do more of this kind of teaching-learning in the future.
PBL and Distance Learning on Skin and Soft Tissue Problems
Education for Health Development in the Philippines