Student Survey: Real-World Scenarios Key to Enhancing Student Engagement During Online Learning
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the education industry anything, it is that “online learning” and “strong student engagement” are phrases not typically used in the same sentence. Several studies and other data show that students at all levels and within several disciplines struggle when it comes to attending school remotely.
The data points to several factors: Exclusive online learning can feel isolating, learners process material differently when presented in an only online format, and learning from home can pose distractions that just aren’t there in a classroom setting.
That does not mean it’s impossible possible to engage students online. Professors may just need the right tools.
David Wolf, professor & Academic Program Coordinator for Healthcare Management at Lynn University, began using Navigate Scenarios in his Spring 2023 MBA-level course. Navigate Scenarios, an exclusive learning and assessment tool from Jones & Bartlett Learning, place students in real-life roles through use of interactive video case studies or “episodes.” For example, in the Health Policy Scenario, one of two Wolf used in his course, the student assumes various roles within the health care legislation process to develop and implement health care policy. In each episode, the student progresses through a series of different settings and character interactions that will teach them about key concepts in Health Policy.
“I believe [my students] LOVED them!” Wolf said. “It challenged their thinking and forced them to connect theory and practice, which is the entire goal of my teaching!”
Wolf did not simply want to measure this tool’s effectiveness anecdotally; he did what any good educator would do: he collected data.
He asked his students to rate Navigate Scenarios on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best), students gave Navigate Scenarios a 4 out of 5. Additionally, students ranked the top strengths of Navigate Scenarios as “Making recommendations to management,” “Applying concepts learned in course or text,” and “Gathering information needed to make decisions.”
Download the student survey to get the full insights.
All of Wolf’s students reported that Navigate Scenarios appropriately challenged their skills and comprehension.
Wolf said he is excited about the level of engagement he saw in an all-online course and looks forward to using Navigate Scenarios in his in-class settings in future semesters.
“In the aftermath of the global pandemic, I am looking for innovative pedagogical methods to assess student learning that does not necessarily use traditional quizzes and tests,” he said. “This is especially true in our MBA program. “I believe simulation is the future of healthcare education, and I intend to embed ALL of the scenarios within the undergraduate/graduate curriculum.”
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