Transcript Slide 1
Learning Theories and
Interprofessional
Education: An Overview
ESRC Seminar Series: 26th June 2009
Background
Research evidence underpinning the drive for IPL is
still growing (Payler et al., 2007; Thistlewaite, 2008)
Descriptive, anecdotal & atheoretical? (Freeth et al., 2002; Barr et
al., 2005; Clarke, 2006)
Few interventions identify the educational theory
underpinning the development & delivery of IPE
initiatives (Cooper et al., 2001; Freeth et al., 2002; Barr et al., 2005)
Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning cycle, adult learning
theory & psychological theories of group behaviours
and teamwork approaches (Cooper et al., 2001; Barr et al., 2005) and
learning organisations (Freeth et al., 2002)
Theory needed to guide IPE curriculum development
(Eraut, 2003; Clark, 2006)
Families of Learning Theory
Behaviourism
Constructivism
-cognitive
- social
Use in IPE?
Behaviourists consider that:
Learning outcomes are important as opposed to
the processes underpinning this learning;
All behaviour is learned and all learning involves
an observable change in behaviour;
Adopt a positivist approach;
Students’ own activity in achieving outcomes is
pivotal to learning.
(Jarvis et al., 2003; Armitage et al., 2003)
Behaviourism in IPE
IPE curriculum developers create an outcome
based curriculum;
Interprofessional competencies (Arredondo et al., 2004;
Norris et al., 2005)
-learning outcomes assessed and evaluated
No clear reference to IPE competencies in
curriculum design
IPE evaluations- Kirkpatrick’s (1967) model
Modified Kirkpatrick's Model of Educational Outcomes for IPE
1
Reaction
Learner's views on the learning experience and its
interprofessional nature.
2a
Modifications of
attitudes/perceptions
Changes in reciprocal attitudes or perceptions between
participant groups. Changes in perception or attitude
towards the value and/or use of team approaches to
caring for a specific patient group.
2b
Acquisition of
knowledge/skills
Including knowledge and skills linked to interprofessional
collaboration.
3
Behavioural change
Identifies individuals' transfer of interprofessional learning
to their practice setting and changed professional practice.
*Self report (Kilminister et al., 2004; Pollard et al., 2005;
Pollard and Miers, 2008)
4a
Change in
Organizational practice
4b
Benefits to patients
Wider changes in the organizational and delivery of care.
Improvements in health or well-being of patients.
(Barr et al., 2000; Freeth et al, 2002; Hammick et al., 2007)
Cognitive Constructivism
Concerned with the process of how learners
learn;
Adult learning- self directed learning
Learning is within the learner’s control (Spencer
and Jordan, 1999; Kaufman, 2003; Wood, 2003)
Application and use of developmental theories
(Paiget, 1973)
Clark (2006) applied Perry’s (1970) theory:
Ultimate Goal
Commitment
to relativism
Relativism:
recognise other professions
Dualism:
expansion of beliefs beyond own profession
Accepting of the range
of complementary
professions required to
provide holistic care;
Students recognise the
presence and nature of
other professions.
Via IPE students are
offered an opportunity to
expand beliefs beyond
own profession
IPE Curriculum Developer’s Role:
•
Consider ways to develop students’ knowledge by activating and
building on existing knowledge bases- transformative learning
•
Consider key assumptions underlying the constructivist origins
of adult learning theory (ALT) or androgogy (Knowles, 1990;
Kaufman, 2003)
•
ALT- key mechanism for well received IPE (Hammick et al., 2007)
Teaching methods used to facilitate adult learning:
Self-directed learning
Problem based learning
Discovery learning (Spencer and
Case based learning;
Portfolio based learning;
Project based learning;
Peer evaluation;
Use of learning contracts
(Kaufman, 2003)
(Newble, 2002; Wood, 2003);
Jordan, 1999; O’Halloran et al., 2006);
(Kolb, 1984; Brown and Atkins, 1988;
Spencer and Jordan, 1999).
Use reflective practitioner
theory (Schon, 1984; Goosey and Barr,
2002) and experiential learning
(Moon, 2004; Roberts et al., 2000).
Social Constructivism – Vygotsky (1978; 1986)
•Learning- mediated via
socio-cultural instruments
e.g. language
•Support systems
D’Eon (2005):
Use of IPE tasks could
become progressively
more complex from, for
example simple paper
case-based scenarios with
two disciplines to very
complex cases in real life
settings with many
disciplines
Social constructivism & macro level thinking:
•Communities of
practice (Wenger, 1998)
•Activity systems
(Engestrom, 1999; 2004).
•Expansive learning
–to
create new knowledge & practice
Used to inform evaluations
of IPE (see, for example
Robinson and Cottrell, 2005;
Payler et al., 2007);
Why has it not been used to
inform IPE curriculum
development?
-HE curriculum developersfocus on micro level of
learning (Hean, Craddock and
O’Halloran, 2009)
-Critics of activity theory
(Fuller et al., 2005; Payler et al., 2007)
Summary
Insufficient rigorous research identifying the
theoretical underpinning of IPE initiatives;
Implications of overlooking IPE theorising;
Benefits of IPE theorising
Catholic approach to a whole range of
theoretical doctrines is needed (Meads et al, 2003).
Time for Reflection
How can learning theory
be used to inform your
own work?
How can you evaluate its
use in practice?
How can we work
together to advance
knowledge in this field?
Our overview of contemporary learning
theories used in IPE:
MICRO
ADULT LEARNING
Self directed, experiential,
problem based,
discovery
interprofessional, collaborative
B-1-1
BEHAVIOURISM
interprofessional competencies
A
CONSTRUCTIVISM
B
MACRO
Expansive learning
B3
Social
Social conflict theory
Socio-cultural learning
Situated learning
Collaborative learning
Interprofessional learning
B2
Cognitive
Developmental/stage theory
Self directed, experiential,
problem based,
discovery
B-1
(Hean, Craddock and O’Halloran, 2009)