The first workshop on Sept. 26 is on lecturing effectively. Presented by Dr. Steve Shorlin, teaching consultant with MESC, the objectives are to identify characteristics of an effective and engaging lecture, use classroom assessment techniques to gauge learning during lecture, and align teaching activities with students’ learning objectives.

On Oct. 3 the workshop is on assessing learning in pre-clerkship. The presenters are Dr. Shorlin and Diana Deacon, education specialist for student assessment with MESC. The objectives of this workshop are to identify characteristics of effective multiple choice tests, consider alternative methods of assessing learning, and align assessment with students' learning objectives.

On Oct. 24 the topic is online learning, presented by Dr. Shorlin and Steve Pennell, manager of Health Education Technology & Learning with Health Sciences Information and Media Service (HSIMS). The objectives of this workshop are to consider online learning as a complement to classroom teaching, identify the characteristics of effective online learning activities, and describe the use of online platforms such as virtual patients to enhance medical education.

The fourth workshop takes place Nov. 14 on the topic getting started in medical education scholarship. The presenters are Dr. Shorlin and Jacinta Reddigan, a research assistant with MESC. The objectives of this workshop are to begin to consider an educational research question, identify appropriate methods of evaluating educational innovation, and identify the role that MESC can play in their scholarship.

The final workshop in this series takes place Dec. 5 on the topic small group learning. Dr. Shorlin will present this workshop, which will deal with effectively facilitating learning in small groups, recognizing the potential for small group learning in diverse areas of medical education, and solving common challenges that arise in small group teaching.