Teaching Development Grants
Completed TDG Projects

Outcomes-based Approach to Student Learning

Outcome-based Education in a Course of Undergraduate Nursing Programme – Community and Public Health Nursing


Abstract

Background
The purpose of this project was to evaluate a Community and Public Health Nursing course for students undertaking their final year of study in an undergraduate nursing programme that incorporated an outcome-based education (OBE) at the course level.

Method
With the OBE approach, results of a set course assessment items were used to reflect student’s competence in conducting a community assessment and to generating a community health promotion plan (the primary course objective). Furthermore, pre-post tests of 10 MCQ were used to assess whether students achieved better content knowledge after the course. Generic learning skills in terms of critical thinking (CT), group process (GP), and self-directed learning (SDL) were measured before and after the course (n = 74). A focus group interview (n = 5) was also conducted at the end of semester to examine students’ experiences and perceptions of learning in the course with an OBE approach.

Findings
All students passed the set of assessment items but no significant difference of content knowledge was observed when compared with the data obtained before the course. Mean perceived effectiveness of the course was neutral. Nevertheless, overall means of CT, GP and SDL all increased significantly (p < 0.001). Results of the qualitative analysis indicated that students somewhat perceived useful learning experiences from this course on community and public health nursing.

Principal Investigator

Dr. V.C.L. Chiang, School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

Project level

University-level project

Project Completion

May 2010

Deliverables

  • Chiang, V., Mak, Y. W., Leung, S., Leung, A., Chan, P. (2010, Dec).  Outcome-based education in a community public health course of a baccalaureate nursing programme: Brief Findings. Enhancing Learning Experiences in Higher Education Conference (poster presentation). Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Chiang, V., Mak, Y. W., Leung, S., Leung, A., Chan, P. (2010, Dec).  Outcome-based education in a community public health course of a baccalaureate nursing programme. 4th Halla/Newcastle PBL Center International Symposium (oral presentation). Jeju Island, South Korea.