Educational Learning In Physiotherapy Teaching - Essay Example

Education Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 3 Introduction 3 Aim 3 Objective 3 Structure of a Lesson Plan 4 Rationale of Learning Physiotherapy through Experiential Learning 5 Prior Teaching Preparation and Required Materials 5 Procedure of Carrying Out the Experiential Learning Related To Physiotherapy 5 Introduction 5 Exploration 6 Sharing 7 Processing 7 Generalising 7 Application 8 Assessment 8 Self Evaluation 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Title Educational Learning in Physiotherapy teaching Introduction Experiential learning is a procedure with the help of which the students are able to develop their skills, values and knowledge from the experiences they have acquired from outside the classroom environment. The experience may be gathered through field research and survey, internships, work experiences and field projects among others. Thus, experiential learning is focused on the learning process of an individual based on practical experience. Experiential learning can be applied to the students for their better and in-depth understanding regarding a particular topic. A lesson plan based on the experiential learning focusing on the physiotherapist teaching for the assessment of injuries is needed to be developed. The learners should be willing to participate actively in practical experiences. A learner should possess the ability to make judgment from the experiences obtained in the field works. Moreover, the learners should have the ability to utilize the skills of analyzing in order to conceptualize the experiences. The learners should also possess the skills of making proper decisions and problem-solving tactics, so that the ideas that are generated from experiences can be utilized efficiently (Practicepulse, 2014; Education Portal, 2014; The Regents of the University Of Colorado, 2014; Streetdirectory, 2014; Therapy Works, 2012; Gentry, 1990). Aim The aim of the lesson plan is to provide an in-depth knowledge regarding physiotherapy to the learners by using the concept of experiential learning. Objective The objective of the lesson plan is to teach the learners about the benefits of physiotherapy in their day-to-day life in relation to the treatment services offered to individuals having injuries. Various types of injuries in knee, ankle, back and shoulder that may be identified among age groups ranging from child to adult can be treated with physiotherapy. Thus, the objective of the lesson plan is to create awareness among the learners regarding the various benefits of physiotherapy and their practical implications for having a better understanding about injuries and the treatment procedures. Structure of a Lesson Plan The lesson plan should be designed in such a way that it provides a clear view of the topic to the learners. As the group of learners belong to the adult group, the way of teaching them falls under the category of pedagogy. The first stage of the lesson plan will be to design the objectives of the experiential learning in such a way that gives an in-depth knowledge of various aspects of physiotherapy. This phase will also include the outline of the practical experiments that the learners have to perform during their course of assignment, identification of the factors that will influence the learning of the students and finally, creating a particular scheme, so that the idea of physiotherapy is properly implemented among the learners. In this phase, a timetable is also created for conducting various activities of experiential learning in a systematic manner. Thus, the design phase is regarded as the most important part of the experiential learning, as this phase deals with the foundation of the lesson plan. The second stage of the lesson plan is to conduct the experiential learning. In this stage, the design of the experiential learning will be maintained and controlled. The timetable that is previously outlined in the design phase may be altered in this phase to support the appropriate learning environment. The main feature of this phase is that the experiences obtained are in a structured form and they are monitored closely. Thus, in this phase, experiential learning regarding physiotherapy will be conducted by creating a suitable learning environment to provide a better learning experience to the learners regarding physiotherapy. Evaluation is the fourth stage of experiential learning. In general, evaluation is carried out by the instructors, but in case of experiential learning, the learners are asked to evaluate the experience that they have gathered during the process of experiential learning. The learners should be able to make a proper demonstration of the topic that they have experienced during their process of learning. The feedback is considered as the final stage of experiential learning. In this stage, the learners provide their feedbacks in relation to the learning experience from experiential learning. This stage is considered as most important, as the experience that the learners have acquired during their experiential learning are reflected through the feedback process (Scholastic Inc, 2014; Brown & et. al., 2008). Rationale of Learning Physiotherapy through Experiential Learning The lesson will be taught to the learners by using the concept of experiential learning. Physiotherapy is a subject which includes practical implications and thus, in order to understand the subject properly, a practical exposure to various activities related to physiotherapy will be provided to the learners. Theoretical knowledge is not sufficient for understanding the in-depth concept of physiotherapy properly. In order to provide practical exposure to the learners, they will be provided with the opportunity to be involved in the practical physiotherapy activities. This will help them to experience the learning in a broad and in-depth manner. A physiotherapist will be assisting the learners for having a practical exposure regarding the applications of physiotherapy, which will help them to experience the learning in an effective way (Scholastic Inc, 2014; U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013). Prior Teaching Preparation and Required Materials In order to provide an effective learning experience to the learners, it is important that the lecturer have an understanding about the concept of physiotherapy properly. In this regard, the lecturer should study various journals, articles and books relating to physiotherapy in order to deliver the lecture properly and effectively. Moreover, the lecturer is required to obtain information and knowledge from any physiotherapist regarding various physiotherapy postures and procedures, which will give a clear and in-depth idea regarding the subject, which, will ultimately help to deliver an effective lecture (About.com, 2014; Scholastic Inc, 2014). Procedure of Carrying Out the Experiential Learning Related To Physiotherapy A six-step procedure will be involved for carrying out experiential learning. Introduction The first stage of the experiential learning is the introduction stage. In this stage, a brief outline regarding the objective of the learning will be delivered to the learners. This will include some preliminary knowledge regarding physiotherapy that would be delivered to the learners and the practical experiences that the learners can obtain for in-depth understanding. Moreover, the learners will be asked to put up their own views regarding the concept of physiotherapy. If there is any misconception regarding the subject, the lecturer will sort it out and uncover the misconceptions related to physiotherapy. A brief review of the lessons regarding physiotherapy that has been taught in the previous classes should be discussed with the learners, so that they can link the subject matter. This will help the learners to understand the subject matter more clearly and effectively. After giving a brief review of the materials provided in the previous class, the students will be introduced with the contents and vocabulary of the lesson that will be taught. The contents should contain all the topics that will be taught and provide a short gist of each topic, so that the learners can have an idea regarding the subject matter. Various types of charts, Powerpoint presentation, books and articles related to physiotherapy will be used. In addition, projector and video clippings will be used as a resource for delivering the introduction more effectively. The slides of the Powerpoint presentation should look attractive, so that the learners do not feel bored of looking at the slides. A concept of whole class discussion will be structured in order to debate on the various viewpoints and queries from various learners, which will provide an in-depth understanding of the topic. In order to identify the learning outcome of individuals, every student will be provided with a separate work sheet in which they will answer some questions that are relevant to the topic (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Exploration Exploration is the second stage of experiential learning. In this stage, the learners will be asked to perform activities related to the lesson that has been taught, without taking any help from the lecturer. The learners will have to perform various physiotherapy exercises taught in the class and accordingly, answer the questions provided to them in the worksheets. A role playing activity will also be conducted in which the learners will be asked to play the roles of a physiotherapist in terms of assessment and suggesting an appropriate physiotherapy exercise for a patient who is suffering from some injuries in knee, shoulder, back and ankle. Moreover, the learner will be asked to give a presentation regarding various aspects of physiotherapy that has been taught in the lesson. The experience that they will gather from the experiential learning may be an individual experience or a group experience (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Sharing Sharing the experience of the learning is the third stage of experiential learning. In this stage, the learners will share their experience of what they have learnt regarding physiotherapy as well as share their reactions and observations of such learning. The learners should be given an opportunity to share their experiences freely and appreciate the ideas that are generated by their experiences. They will share their experience related to what they have learnt from the lesson of physiotherapy taught as well as practical activities conducted during their practical exposure. The learners will also share information regarding the activities that they conducted was the toughest and the easiest. Additionally, the learners based on their learning experience will share their learning outcomes (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Processing Processing is the fourth stage of experiential learning. In this stage, discussion is held with the intention of ascertaining the experience obtained and determine the issues and problems that are faced during practical exposures. The learners will also be asked to share their personal experiences of the activities that they have carried out as well as to identify the issues and problems that are occurring in a recurring nature during practical activities. Thus, in this stage, the experiences generated from the learning are processed (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Generalising In this stage of experiential learning, real life examples will be provided that will be connected with the experiences that had been acquired from the practical activities. The general trends as well as the common features of the experiences will have to be identified. The real life principles that are related to physiotherapy will be identified in this stage. This may include the importance of physiotherapy in daily life and the physiotherapy activities that are related to life (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Application Application is the sixth and the last stage of experiential learning. In this stage, the physiotherapy exercise is applied based on the learning outcome in same or different situations. From the experiences of the learning, physiotherapy will be applied in real life situation. In this stage, discussions are also made regarding how the experiential learning can be applied in various situations. Moreover, discussion will be made regarding the usefulness of raised issues in future as well as the development of effective behaviours from the experiential learning. Thus, in this stage, the learners will be asked to apply various techniques and benefits of physiotherapy in the real life situation from the experiences that they have gathered during experiential learning (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Assessment Assessments will have to be done regarding the fact that the learners have received proper experience from experiential learning about physiotherapy. A performance-based activity will be conducted, which will demonstrate the learning outcomes relating to physiotherapy. A proper confirmation should be made about whether the objectives as well as the goals of experiential learning are fulfilled. Moreover, the learners who are unable to receive a positive experience from the activities will be provided with an alternative activity that would be suitable for them to understand (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Self Evaluation Self-evaluation reflects the strength and weakness of the lesson that has been taught through experiential learning. The response of individual learners regarding the techniques that they have used during their practical experience and their reactions should be described in this stage. Discussion should also be made regarding the ideas that are generated by the students from the experiences. Moreover, the learners will be asked to give a brief idea regarding the lessons that they have learned (Scholastic Inc, 2014; The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014). Conclusion Thus, it can be concluded that experiential learning is an important tool, which can provide a detailed and in-depth knowledge of the topic to the learners, so that they can acquire experience based learning. By applying experience based learning in teaching physiotherapy, the students can have a better idea regarding the subject, because it involves practical exposure to the various activities related to physiotherapy. Thus, the lesson plan is constructed on the basis of experiential learning for teaching physiotherapy. References Brown, T. & et. al., 2008. Learning Style Preferences of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology Students: A Comparative Study. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-12. Education Portal, 2014. Theory of Experiential Learning. What Is Experiential Learning? - Definition, Theories & Examples. [Online] Available at: http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-experiential-learning-definition-theories-examples.html [Accessed December 4, 2014]. Gentry, J. W., 1990. What Is Experiential Learning?. Guide to Business Gaming and Experiential Learning, pp. 9-20. Practicepulse, 2014. Benefits of Physiotherapy. What Is Physiotherapy. [Online] Available at: http://physiovancouver.ca/phy/what-is-physiotherapy/benefits-of-physiotherapy [Accessed December 4, 2014]. Scholastic Inc, 2014. Overview. Sample Lesson Plan for New Teachers. [Online] Available at: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/sample-lesson-plan-new-teachers [Accessed December 4, 2014]. Streetdirectory, 2014. The Importance of Physical Therapy. Editorial. [Online] Available at: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/45891/bodybuilding/the_importance_of_physical_therapy.html [Accessed December 4, 2014]. The Regents of the University Of Colorado, 2014. What Is Experiential Learning?. Experiential Learning Center. [Online] Available at: http://www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/ExperientialLearning/about/Pages/WhatisExperientialLearning.aspx [Accessed December 4, 2014]. The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2014. Strategies for Effective Lesson Planning. Center for Research on Learning and Teaching. [Online] Available at: http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/p2_5 [Accessed December 4, 2014]. Therapy Works, 2012. The Importance of Physiotherapy. Therapy Works. [Online] Available at: http://therapyworksclarenville.ca/the-importance-of-physiotherapy/ [Accessed December 4, 2014]. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013. Lesson Plans. Changing the Face of Medecines. [Online] Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/resources/lesson_k_2.html [Accessed December 4, 2014]. Read More