INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION - A CASE-STUDY OF A NOVEL TEACHING LEARNING FORMAT

Objective: To describe an innovative teaching/learning option that eng ages the student as an active learner without compromising the financi al advantages of large group/classroom teaching. Method: A case study is used to demonstrate an innovative teaching/learning format. The con tent of the case study is based upon the identification of referral cr iteria at the patient-health care system interface. The learning exper ience consists of a quiz followed by class discussion. Sample: A conve nience sample of final-year chiropractic and osteopathy students at RM IT. Discussion: The case study demonstrates how this format may be use d to create an environment in which each student is personally confron ted by the necessity to reach a decision about referring a patient on the basis of the information provided. Having engaged each student in the decision-making process, this format then provides an opportunity for self-assessment and the enunciation of general guidelines during c lass discussion. An additional demonstrable benefit of this teaching/l earning strategy is the lecturer's enhanced awareness of the learning needs of the student group. Conclusion: The format proposed provides a n additional option for teaching/learning that is acceptable to studen ts and is consistent with the need to contain costs, maintain standard s and conform to the requirements of a competency-based curriculum.