An instructional seminar for online case-based discussions.
OBJECTIVE
To assess a training seminar developed to prepare pharmacy instructors to facilitate online discussions.


METHODS
A 2-part seminar was developed to train faculty members and teaching assistants to facilitate online case-based discussions. A preseminar survey instrument was distributed to potential attendees and a postseminar survey instrument was given to those who attended the seminar.


RESULTS
Twenty (91%) instructors completed the preseminar survey instrument. Eleven of these instructors attended at least 1 session of the seminar and indicated that the didactic and/or application portions were either "helpful" or "very helpful." These faculty members and teaching assistants also completed the postseminar survey instrument and conveyed a significant increase in level of comfort in their ability to facilitate online case-based discussions (p=0.004). The 3 most frequently perceived barriers to online teaching remained consistent despite training or teaching experience.


CONCLUSIONS
After attending a training seminar and/or facilitating an online case discussion, participants' comfort level in their ability to teach online increased. Further study of the impact of faculty development programs on teaching effectiveness and student satisfaction with online pharmacy education is warranted.
LeBlanc
Jaclyn M
JM
College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, USA.
Pruchnicki
Maria C
MC
Rohdieck
Stephanie V
SV
Khurma
Anand
A
Dasta
Joseph F
JF
D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D009862:Online Systems; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration