Individual Instructional Method Paper, Research Paper Example

Introduction

An instruction method may be defined as a way we use to pass knowledge, material or even skill from one person to the other(s). Thus, an instruction method is a very important part in any learning process. The choice of method to use is influenced by the target audience, their level of competence and may be the content of the material itself (Bloom et al, 1996). For instance, a method of instruction to elementary kids cannot be the same as that used on college students. Similarly, a method used to teach on human anatomy cannot be the same as that used to instruct on stages of industrial revolution in Europe (just an example).

Learner described

For the sake of this assignment, my learners are eight workmates all of them with some tertiary level of education. Age wise they range between 22 and 33 years old and have been drawn from all the departments in the work place. Generation wise I consider them generation Y workers. This is because given an opportunity they are self-motivated well enough to do better when they are left on their own as opposed to when they are pushed around. These are individuals who are well informed in their respective areas of specialization and this training is just meant to act as a refresher course on a few areas here and there.

Course content

The course content that I want to teach my team is Robotic surgery. This is the latest development in medicine that uses robots and computer aided apparatus to aid in normal surgical procedures. It is a new technology and mostly used in developed countries. With robotic surgery, a single surgeon is able not only to perform multiple surgeries but also do his/her work from any part of the world. The objective of my training is not to turn my team into robotic surgery experts in a day but rather make them become aware of such developments in medicine.

According to McConnell, Schneeberger and Michler (2003), the science behind the development of this new technology is the latest development in artificial intelligence, internet computing and computer science. Robotic surgery is gaining a wide acceptance in the medical fraternity in the recent past. This is because it has proved to be effective, efficient, reliable and above all accurate. This technology has found numerous applications in general surgery, neurosurgery, radio surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, urology, pediatrics, cardiothoracic among many others. In fact, it is applicable virtually in all areas of conventional surgery.

Instructional methods

Since time immemorial, there have been instruction methods that have been in use while others are because of latest development in technology. The most common instruction methods that have been identified by Bloom et al (1996) are as follows.

Lecturing is perhaps this is the oldest, simplest and widely used method of instruction giving. It entails a speaker continuously presenting a material, which he wants the audience to learn. This method is effective to well informed audience and who have a little knowledge in the content of the lecture. The venue can be a classroom, office, hall etc

Team based learning is a good method of instruction that bridges the gap between large and small groups. The teacher sub divides the larger group into small autonomous groups that he teaches directly on desired content. He can even give them subtopics to research on and later present to the whole class. It is more interactive in nature.

Case study method tends to be more practical and case centered. An instructor identifies a particular topic, which he gives the class to research on extensively and use the findings of the study to generalize on other similar cases. Christensen and Barnes developed this method at the Harvard business school in the 1970s. Since then it has gained popularity as one the best way to teach especially in business, education and medicine related courses. One of the greatest strength of this method is the fact that it gives student a chance to critically think and brain storm as opposed to lecturing or teaching which is instructor centered.

Demonstrations method is effective on science-based courses that require physical demonstrations of some aspects that could otherwise be abstract. For example, I can use a simple device to demonstrate to my team how the robot works. Demonstrations can be carried out anywhere including wards, classes, laboratory and even in the open field.

Role-playing is an excellent method for teaching skills to a small team. This method entails using real scenario cases or previously written material to practice on some aspects. Can be done in small groups of two or three. One person may act as the nurse, the other patient and the other physician or observer. Role-playing is especially important in building on communication skills of the nurse. A good example is using role-play to teach on first aid techniques. The greatest strength of this method is allowing the learners to practice on clinical skills easily and on a safe environment. By role, playing students get a chance to be in the shoes of patients while the instructor is able to observe multiple students creativity at the same time.

Video conferencing method of educating came about as a result of the latest developments in technology. This teaching method entails using technology to teach. This is effective in subjects that are theory oriented since is very limited in demonstrating practical aspects. The only strength it boasts off is the ability to reach learners wherever they are globally – irrespective of distance from the instructor.

Simulation is yet another new instruction method that strives to train learners in environments that resemble real life situations. The aim is to make learning more realistic and practical oriented. The major purposes of using this method is to make learners apply the theory lessons they have learnt in class, practice decision making and ability to achieve affective, cognitive and psycho motor skills.

Discussion groups and chat rooms is similar to video conference except that this method uses text messages in a greater extent as opposed to video and audio. Each participant is invited to a shared virtual room with a particular topic. Each member is then allowed to discuss or give opinion on the topic. It entirely relies on technology.

Developing an instructional method

Using lecture, case study, role-play and simulation teaching methods I can come up with a very nice method to teach my team on robotic surgery. To begin with, I will lecture my team on all the theoretical aspects of robotic surgery. This includes aspects like origins, working mechanisms, applicability strengths and may be weaknesses of robotic surgery. The objective of this is to equip them with the relevant theoretical background of the topic under study (Dennick & Exley, 1998). This will be followed by presenting a case study on surgery. I will allow my team to observe a specific simple general surgery procedure and then present to them brain storming questions on how they can conduct a surgery from the comfort of their rooms using a robot.

The next step will be to divide my students into groups of twos and ask them to role-play; one as a patient and the other as a surgeon. The aim of this will be to make them practice what they have learnt besides gaining necessary skills in their job. If possible, I may use computer simulations to show them on how robotic surgery works (Dennick & Exley, 1998).

Rationale

The rationale for using the above methods is majorly because they cover all the relevant areas of the learning process. These include theory, practice, critical thinking and reflection. If properly applied, learning objectives are bound to be achieved. Another rationale is that there is no single teaching method that has proved to be effective purely on its own, hence it is advisable to leverage on the strengths and weakness of each method to arrive at desired objectives (Dennick & Exley, 1998).

The advantage of lecturing method is that it is cost effective, time and content conscious, ideal for introducing new material and applicable both to small and large groups. On the other hand lecturing has been ridiculed for a long time as being theory oriented. Thus, it is not effective in delivering practical oriented contents. Case study method has the strength of allowing for learner participation and chance to brainstorm. This makes it a method of choice for small teams. It’s major drawback is time consumption. It requires a lot of time to deliver content when compared to teaching or lecturing.

Cost effective instruction methods

The major way educators can be creative with this methods cost effectively is fast by identifying needs and objectives of the content. Then strategize on how to meet this in the most cost efficient manner by using the most appropriate method. For instance, role-playing should be encouraged as opposed to simulations. This is because whereas their effectiveness is more or less the same, their cost implications are very different. Another way to be cost effective is by using a method that reaches most learners at the same time. It may be expensive but if the audience is large, costs per learner is bound to considerably reduce (Bloom et al, 1996).

Conclusion

Whereas there are many methods of training at the educator’s disposal, the choice of one method over the other is greatly influenced by a number of things. These include resource availability, type of audience, content to be delivered and most importantly objective of the educator. Hence, it pays to study your situation before hand and decide on the best strategy to use to realize not only your objectives but also those of the learner.

References

Bloom, B, Englehart, M, Furst, E, Hill, W, & Krathwohl, D. (1996). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Handbook I: Cognitive domain. New York: Longmans, Green.

Dennick RG, Exley K. (1998). Teaching and learning in groups and teams. Biochemical Education. 26(2):111-5.

McConnell, PI; Schneeberger, EW; Michler, RE (2003). “History and development of robotic cardiac surgery”. Problems in General Surgery 20 (2): 20–30.

Michaelsen LK, Bauman Knight A, Fink LD, eds. (2002). Team-based learning: a transformative use of small groups in college teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing,