Download Using Assessment to Address Student Deficiencies in

Using Assessment to Address Student Deficiencies in Public Health
Keisha T. Robinson, DrPH, MPH
Youngstown State University
Department of Health Professions
INTRODUCTON
One of the recurrent issues in our program is the inability of students to
adeptly demonstrate the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy beyond
knowledge and comprehension. As a result of continued discussions with
other public health program faculty and students as well as student
performance in a number of assignments in various public health courses,
it was determined that students needed more practice. We have found that
many students need to acquire skills to assist in higher order thinking. As
a result, the program curriculum was closely scrutinized to find ways to
increase opportunities of learning. One of the results of the analysis was to
create a course specifically designed to teach students how to analyze a
case. The course, PHLT 3725 Topics in Public Health, is a 1 credit course
offered online every semester required for all public health students and
recommended during the second semester.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
• Demonstrate knowledge about selected topics of relevance to public
health
• Critically analyze and conceptualize public health problems from health
behavior and health promotion, epidemiology, public health
administration, environmental health, biostatistics perspectives
• Apply public health principles and practices in the analysis of public
health problems
• Synthesize, critically evaluate, and effectively present current
knowledge relevant to selected public health topics
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Evaluation of Students—Measure 1:
In the first assignment for the course, students learn how to access and
analyze accurate and current health information and resource materials
regarding public health content and health information using the library,
electronic journals, and websites. All the students worked with Mrs. Maria
Barefoot, Maag Library Health Sciences Assistant Reference Librarian in a
tutorial designed to orient students in the process of conducting research.
In addition to the tutorial, students research a Healthy People 2020 health
topic and write a 1-2 page double-spaced paper using skills acquired from
the tutorial.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS con’t
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS con’t
Evaluation of Students—Measure 2:
The major assignment in PHLT 3725 Topics in Public Health includes an
8-10 page double-spaced case study analysis of a public health issue.
Each student is assigned a specific case at the beginning of the semester
and submit two outlines prior to the final submission of the case.
Guidelines for Writing a Case Analysis
Written case analyses are short, structured reports. Your task, in writing
your case analysis, is to combine aspects of the case and key issues with
your perceptions and supported opinions. You must then examine
alternatives, choose the most viable solution, and provide evidence to
support your views. You obtain this evidence from class discussions, your
text readings, outside research, and your personal experiences.
Remember, case study analyses are written as reports with headings, not as
essays. The paper should clearly identify the relevant sections for the
reader. The structure of the paper is as follows:
1a. Title page (1 page)—Use standard APA format to develop a title page.
www.PosterPresentations.com
g. Recommendations (1 page)—Conclude your written analysis with a
discussion of the implications of the problems you identified in the case.
Be sure to make recommendations for further action that might be taken to
resolve some of these issues. Be specific about what should be done and
who should do it. This section discusses specific strategies that the
individuals or organizations in the case can do to accomplish the proposed
solution.
2. Produce a first draft of your case analysis. Revise and edit the draft.
Format and proofread the final report. Develop the PowerPoint
Presentation to present your analysis. Finally, include any relevant
appendices and references in a proper APA format.
GRADING
The grading rubric used for the case analysis assignment:
b. Introduction (1 page)—Determine a thesis. Summarize, in one
sentence, the principal outcome of your analysis. This is the thesis for your
report and should be clearly stated in the first page. The introduction
identifies the central problem.
c. Background (2 pages)—Take the central problem, and place it in a
context for the reader, providing background information about the case.
Do not reiterate or rehash the facts stated in the case. Rather, place the case
in a research context. The background section demonstrates to the reader
that you have conducted research, either academically or in the field,
regarding the types of problems that the case study describes. Be sure that
your written presentation focuses your diagnosis of the problems on the
most important issues.
d. Key Problems (1 page)—This is where you identify your thoughts
about the problems that exist. It is considered a very important part of the
report. Start with the “who-when-where-what-why-how” typical questions.
Ask yourself here as you ponder the situation: “What are the problems
facing those affected by this problem(s)?” There certainly is usually more
than one problem. Identify the ones you see as being instrumental to the
success of the strategy.
e. Alternatives (1 page)—Now that you have conducted research and
placed the problem(s) into a context, you will have informed choices about
the alternative solutions to the problem(s). You are not expected to analyze
all possible alternatives. However, you should have considered several
alternatives when you formed your opinion about the case. Discuss these
alternatives and why you rejected them in determining your solution to the
case. Why are these viable alternatives? What are the constraints (e.g.,
money, time, personnel, resources) imposed and the reason that you do not
recommend the alternative at this time?
f. Proposed Solution (2 pages)—Discuss your proposed solution
providing support with solid evidence. Generally, you should only provide
one proposed solution. Keep in mind that in the context of the case study,
the characters or company can only start on one solution at a time. Which
one do you propose and why? Justify why this solution is the best option
through a logical argument supported by research. The proposed solution
should be specific and realistic.
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS con’t
CONCLUSIONS
A total of 22 students have taken the course since its inception in Spring
Semester 2013. It is now being offered every Fall and Spring semesters.
As a result of the course,, students are more familiar with conducting
literature reviews, have an increased proficiency in analyzing complex
public health issues, and understand how cases can be used to better
understand and deal with multifaceted problems.