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<p>Preceptorship is an experiential learning approach whereby a senior B.Sc.N. student, a direct care Registered Nurse (preceptor), and a faculty member collaborate to successfully facilitate a students’ learning in a clinical course. Preceptors act as both clinical teachers and professional role models to students. Role modelling can be a powerful experiential teaching-learning strategy. The objective of this cross-sectional survey was to examine students’ viewpoints about role modelling by their preceptors during senior clinical courses, as viewed through faculty members’ reflections. A conceptualization of preceptors as stage role models was developed, providing a unique perspective that includes role modelling typology, re-examination of “negative” role modelling, and intentionality. Data were collected and analyzed using Q-methodology procedures. By-person factor analysis revealed that students’ priorities for role modelling by preceptors vary. Four distinct student viewpoints emerged: the importance of explicit teaching (Factor 1), the significance of socialization behaviours (Factor 2), the foundations of practice knowledge and skills (Factor 3), and the pivotal role of preceptor authenticity (Factor 4). The findings also highlighted the importance of harnessing role modelling as an intentional teaching-learning strategy, including use of critical reflection on the part of the role model and the learner, and being explicit about what is being role modelled. Implications for education, clinical practice, and future research are discussed.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

<p>The act of engineering is synonymous with design. It is a skill that is inherently understood by experienced engineers, but also one of the most difficult topics to teach. For many years, Engineering Design and Graphics has been a required first year course for all engineering students at McMaster University. The course has taught hand-sketching, 3D solid modeling, system simulation, 3D rapid prototyping, and culminated in a design project in gear train design that requires a combination of the core course topics. Students chose their own three-member teams, and lab sections were randomly assigned one of three modalities for completion of the design project: Simulation (SIM) where they produced and verified a design using a simulation tool, Prototyping (PRT) where they used a 3D printer to create a working plastic model of a design, or Simulation and Prototyping (S+P) where they used both tools to complete a design.</p> <p>The design process used in the project represents Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle (through Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation) as well as Bloom's Taxonomy providing opportunities for Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor skill development.</p> <p>This study examines student self-efficacy and performance outcomes between design project modalities that include simulation and 3D printing. It is hypothesized that students who complete a design project using the Simulation and Prototyping (S+P) modality will show the highest scores in both categories.</p> <p>To measure self-efficacy, a new scale for Engineering Design Self-Efficacy was developed and validated. The project groups were surveyed before and after the completion of the design project. Data collected as part of the study included project individual, project group, and project total grades as well as final course grades. Statistical analysis for survey and performance data was completed using ANOVA to test for differences between the modalities.</p> <p>Results indicated an overall increase in self-efficacy from the start of term to the end of term for all design project modalities. Performance scores for project group and project total grade were highest for students in the Simulation (SIM) modality. There were no significant differences between the modalities for self-efficacy, project individual grade, final exam or final course grade.</p> <p>Based on the findings, engineering course designers with the goal of increasing self-efficacy, professional engagement, and performance should consider supplementing courses with experiential learning exercises such as simulation and prototyping. This study will be relevant for engineering course designers and instructors looking to add simulation or rapid prototyping to first-year engineering design courses.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The research reported here covers the following items: 1. The development of the Reflective Learning Framework (RLF). This framework was developed based on a grounded theoretical approach combined with an exploration of existing student reflections; then-current literature; and years of multiple iterations through real-world trials. This framework has now successfully been used by many educators in courses at McMaster and other institutions of higher education. 2. An investigation of students’ responses to the RLF. Following the development of the RLF, third-year students who had used the RLF to guide, assess, and evaluate their course reflections were surveyed and interviewed about their perceptions of using the RLF. Results of this study demonstrate that students see reflection as a tool to develop and use cognitive and metacognitive skills, and also as a tool to support knowledge retention and transfer. Furthermore, findings suggest how reflection, as studied, contributes to the acquisition of higher-order thinking skills required to address the complex challenges of improving sustainability. 3. Determining the effectiveness of the RLF. Finally, to determine the effectiveness of the RLF to support students in applying and demonstrating their higher-order thinking skills, a comparison of two sets of reflections was performed – one that used the RLF and one that did not. The comparison was based on tests of interrater reliability and a comparison of means was conducted. The results of this study demonstrate the reliability of the Framework to be used by multiple raters and that significantly different reflection outputs were obtained from students who used the RLF compared to those who did not. The results of these studies demonstrate the overall effectiveness of the RLF as a tool to guide, assess, and evaluate reflection through experiential education in university courses. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The research reported here covers the following items: (1) the development of the Reflective Learning Framework (RLF), which was accomplished through a bottom-up approach, and which began with reading and re-reading over 100 student reflections and then reviewing the wealth of literature on the topics of reflection and experiential learning; (2) an investigation of students’ responses to the RLF, which was accomplished through an online survey and in-person interviews; and (3) determining the effectiveness of the RLF by comparing the grades of students who used the RLF to those who did not. The results of these studies demonstrate the overall effectiveness of the RLF as a tool to guide, assess, and evaluate reflection through experiential education in university courses.

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The relationship between pedagogy and self-efficacy beliefs is at the core of this dissertation. A continued demand for mental health service providers who can handle challenging caseloads requires novice professionals who are both well prepared and confident in their own skills and abilities, as self-efficacy is a positive predictor of performance. Since experiential learning opportunities are considered particularly beneficial to fostering self-efficacy beliefs, two cohorts of graduate students in a beginning psychotherapy course who engaged in different experiential learning activities were compared in terms of their counseling self-efficacy growth over the course of one semester. One cohort of students engaged in scripted role play during the semester, while the other cohort engaged in unscripted role play. Additionally, focus group discussions with students from both cohorts were conducted after the conclusion of the semester where students reflected on their experiences. Multiple regression analysis was performed to test the hypothesis that students in the treatment group, who engaged in scripted role play, would show greater growth in counseling self-efficacy beliefs. The results did not confirm the hypothesis; students in the treatment group, however, preferred the scripted role play over unscripted role play and reported overall less anxiety about performing the client role. Given the small sample size of 27 students overall, a replication with a larger sample is needed. The results of this study might be considered a starting point to investigate further how to optimize experiential learning pedagogy to foster self-efficacy growth in the classroom.