Principles of Teaching and Learning

Catalog description

The focus of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to educate various audiences in a variety of settings with efficiency and effectiveness. It is a comprehensive coverage, both in scope and depth, of the essential components of the education process and the principles of teaching and learning. Designed to increase students' proficiency in educating others, it takes into consideration the needs and characteristics of the learner as well as how to choose and use the most appropriate instructional techniques and strategies by which to optimize learning. The theories and concepts addressed in this course can be applied to any audience of learners, whether they are patients and their families, staff nurses or student nurses. An understanding of the basics of teaching and learning allows the educator to function in the role as a "guide by the side" and as a "facilitator" of learning, rather than merely as a "giver of information". This approach enables the audience of learners to act as responsible partners in the teaching/learning process. Emphasis is placed on preparing students to assess, teach, and evaluate learners of all stages of development based on their learning needs, learning styles, and readiness to learn. If NSG 461 or its equivalent has been completed, a graduate-level 3-credit education elective must be substituted to meet master's degree in nursing requirements.