Inspired Teaching

Online PBL & How to be a Great E-Tutor

Part of the "How Health Professions Education Goes Virtual" mini-series


By Sarrah Lal (@SarrahML) & Sharon Bal (@SharonBal8)
Originally Published, April 6, 2020

As we transition from in-person to online PBL education, we must consider how this impacts PBL learning environments for UGME. Indeed, while the role of the tutor (to facilitate the group learning process, guide learners to develop frameworks for knowledge construction, support in content acquisition) does not change (1) when transitioning to virtual PBL, this new learning environment does require a few extra considerations. This piece focuses on establishing both synchronous and asynchronous communication channels, empowering learners to succeed in online learning environments, and building trusting tutor-learner relationships in a virtual setting. 

The learning environment extends beyond the traditional classroom (2) and it is especially important to recognize this when a program is fully online. Conversations that once took place in the hallway or before a lecture began are no longer happening - this lack of meaningful social interaction can be “the largest single barrier to student success online.” (3). 

2. Expect declining engagement over time and build strategies to intentionally counteract this. 

Success in online learning environments is highly dependent on learner self-regulation, self-efficacy and self-directedness (4). Learner engagement and active participation in sessions is generally linked to high concentration. Consider that the average learner has an attention span of 10-15 minutes (5) and the number of demands which present remotely far exceed those in a traditional classroom. How might you, as a tutor, structure the environment for the learner to ensure their undivided attention for a three-hour period?

3. Build positive relationships with learners to improve their self-reported learning effectiveness. 

Trust between learners and educators is particularly important in medical education (6) and its presence is critical for effective knowledge acquisition in both clinical and classroom settings. Factors typically assessed for such trust between learner and tutor (i.e. perceived ability, benevolence and integrity) are challenged by the lack of non-verbal cues in online learning settings. Consistent with the Community of Inquiry model (7), an educational experience requires a cognitive, social and teaching (structure/process) presence. Focusing on the social element, two closely related concepts, self-disclosure and social presence (8), can help tutors promote online relationship building in the absence of non-verbal cues. 

We hope you feel empowered to take these strategies and maximize the online PBL experience in UGME. If you are interested in suggesting additional topics for support during this transition to online PBL please get in touch.


REFERENCES
  1. Jong, N., Verstegen, D., Konings, K. (2017). The role of the e-tutor in synchronous online problem-based learning: A study in a Master Public Health Programme. British Journal of Educational Technology. 49(3), 385-397. doi:10.1111/bjet.12554
  2. Roddy, C., Amiet, D., Chung, J., Holt, C., Shaw, L., McKenzie, S., Garivaldis, F., Lodge, J., Mundy, M. (2017). Applying best practice online learning, teaching and support to intensive online environments: an integrative review. Front. Educ. doi:10.3389/feduc.2017.00059
  3. Muilenburg, L. Y., and Berge, Z. L. (2005). Student barriers to online learning: a factor analytic study. Distance Educ. 26, 29–48. doi:10.1080/01587910500081269
  4. Stephen, J. (2020). Persistence model of non-traditional online learners: self-efficacy, self-regulation, and self-direction. American Journal of Distance Education. Doi: 10.1080/08923647.2020.1745619
  5. Bradbury, N. (2016). Attention span during lectures: 8 seconds, 10 minutes or more? Advances in Physiology Education. 40(4), 509-513. doi:10.1152/advan.00109.2016
  6. Abruzzo, D., Sklar, D., McMahon, G. (2019). Improving trust between learners and teachers in medicine. Academic Medicine. 94(2), 147-150. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000002514
  7. Garrison, D., Arbaugh, J. (2007). Researching the community of inquiry framework: review, issues, and future directions. The Internet and Higher Education. 10(3), 157-172. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2007.04.001
  8. Song, H., Kim, J., Park, N. (2018). I know my professor: teacher self-disclosure in online education and a mediating role of social presence. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. 448-455. doi:10.1080/10447318.2018.1455126

Dr. Sharon Bal (@sharonbal8) is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University. She is a prominent educator at McMaster's Waterloo Regional Campus and the lead of our Social Media team in the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences Program for Faculty Development (@MacPFD). She is also a Mom, family physician, educator, student. 

Sarrah Lal, MBA is an assistant professor in the Division of Education & Innovation (DEI) within the Department of Medicine. She is a entrepreneurship and innovation expert and directs various educational efforts within the Michael G. DeGroote Initiative for Innovation in Healthcare. Currently she is also the lead of the Leadership & Management team in the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences Program for Faculty Development (@MacPFD).