Becoming an Expert Educator in the Healthcare Professions

Become an expert health educator and make a difference

Connect with a global network of multi-professional educators in healthcare, and gain new perspectives on your teaching strategies and values as a health educator.

On this course from the University of Nottingham, you’ll identify and apply the fundamentals of education to the healthcare professions. You will be empowered to make evidence-based improvements to your teaching.

The course is designed to share with new or established educators the latest evidence-based approaches and thinking around delivering effective education in healthcare.

Create an effective learning environment for your students

The course will begin by exploring the concept of motivation, and asking why it’s essential for effective learning. You’ll discuss Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, as well as learning styles and strategies.

You’ll learn about the role of memory in learning, and discover the types of memory and exercises that will allow you to help your students.

Discover cognitive load theory and instructional design

There are several effective approaches to designing teaching. You’ll learn about the types of cognitive load, the principles of instruction, and instructional design.

Assessments are also a vital part of teaching, so you’ll learn about assessment methods. You’ll think about what makes a reliable and valid assessment, and then explore what comprises good feedback.

Learn to create a positive group dynamic

In the final few weeks, you’ll investigate how to create a good group dynamic in the classroom. From considering the psychological safety of students to developing group-based activities, you’ll learn to foster a positive learning environment.

Ultimately, you’ll learn some of the fundamental concepts around learning, teaching, assessment, feedback, the environment, and curriculum design.

This course is designed for healthcare professionals who work in, or have an interest in, delivering formal or informal education.

This course is designed for healthcare professionals who work in, or have an interest in, delivering formal or informal education.

• Reflect on and articulate the meaning of effective instruction in the healthcare professions context
• Justify the validity and reliability of a given assessment or programme of assessment
• Explain the core elements of ‘good’ feedback
• Describe the rationale for ensuring constructive alignment across a curriculum
• Explore the influence of group dynamics on the learning environment
• Identify the role of motivation in effective learning
• Identify appropriate evidence-based learning strategies for use in the classroom or clinical workplace
• Identify common methods and approaches to assessment used in healthcare professions education