Today I listened to an anaesthetist, Dr Saundra Curry, who had transformed her teaching practice almost by accident. Each day she now asks her learners to tell her one thing they’ve learned that day. In this simple gesture, she has transformed her teaching and her relationship to her learners.
Learners now expect to be asked and prepare their responses in a thoughtful way. They reflect on their learning and get reinforcement for what they are achieving. Differences in perception (what was and wasn’t learned) get discussed and addressed. Interprofessional colleagues (including the cleaners) take an interest in the conversations and join in! And Saundra is able to give specific, focussed feedback and evaluation along with tailoring her teaching more specifically to learner needs. And is humble enough to tell her learners that she herself is still learning – every day.
What a difference a single question can make!
Access this reading via iTunes here
The Academic Medicine Podcast Series are a great way to stimulate your thinking about issues in contemporary medical education. Usually less than 5 minutes (with some longer episodes) – I listen to them while running.