title: Use of a group concept mapping approach to define learning outcomes for an interdisciplinary module in medicine.
abstract: Learning outcomes are typically developed using standard group-based consensus methods. Two main constraints with standard techniques such as the Delphi method or expert working group processes are: (1) the ability to generate a comprehensive set of outcomes and (2) the capacity to reach agreement on them. We describe the first application of Group Concept Mapping (GCM) to the development of learning outcomes for an interdisciplinary module in medicine and engineering. The biomedical design module facilitates undergraduate participation in clinician-mentored team-based projects that prepare students for a multidisciplinary work environment. GCM attempts to mitigate the weaknesses of other consensus methods by excluding pre-determined classification schemes and inter-coder discussion, and by requiring just one round of data structuring. Academic members from medicine and engineering schools at three EU higher education institutions participated in this study. Data analysis, which included multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, identified two main categories of outcomes: technical skills (new advancement in design process with special attention to users, commercialization and standardization) and transversal skills such as working effectively in teams and creative problem solving. The study emphasizes the need to address the highest order of learning taxonomy (analysis, synthesis, problem solving, creativity) when defining learning outcomes.
authors: Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open Universiteit Nederland, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT, Heerlen, the Netherlands.
authors: Slavi
authors: S
authors: Stoyanov
authors: Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open Universiteit Nederland, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT, Heerlen, the Netherlands.
authors: Howard
authors: H
authors: Spoelstra
authors: School of Medicine, Brookfield Heatlh Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Deirdre
authors: D
authors: Bennett
authors: School of Medicine, Brookfield Heatlh Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Sweeney
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT-SCD) and iMinds Future Health Department, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3001, Louvain, Belgium.
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Van Huffel
authors: School of Medicine, Brookfield Heatlh Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Shorten
authors: School of Medicine, Brookfield Heatlh Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Siun
authors: S
authors: O'Flynn
authors: School of Engineering, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Padraig
authors: P
authors: Cantillon-Murphy
authors: School of Medicine, Brookfield Heatlh Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Colm
authors: C
authors: O'Tuathaigh
authors: School of Medicine, Brookfield Heatlh Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. l.burgoyne@ucc.ie.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Burgoyne