Education Commons^™

Development Of Interprofessional Socialization In A Multifaceted Live Action Clinical Role-Play Simulation For Speech-Language Pathology And Social Work Students, Cody Marie Busch, Jennifer Anderson, Lynn Gilbertson, Sarah Hessenauer

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Live action clinical role-plays are one of many types of simulated learning experiences that can be crafted for undergraduate and graduate students alike when learning to collaborate interprofessionally. This mixed methods exploratory research project partnered four academic instructors from the disciplines of speech-language pathology and social work, with several additional community members adding their expertise to enrich the experience of a live-action clinical role-play. Students (N = 32) participated in a two-part multifaceted interprofessional education (IPE) experience with the first part consisting of eight hours of online asynchronous training and the second part consisting of eight hours of a multifaceted …

Structured Ethics Education In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Jennifer N. Gaylord, Stephanie M. Schaaf, Laura Liljequist, Kristie Guffey Ed.D.

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This investigation compared the effect of ethics training embedded within a curriculum to structured ethics training regarding the ethics knowledge and self-reported comfort levels of first-year graduate students in speech-language pathology. Two equal, non-randomized groups of participants completed an ethics test and survey at three different times over the course of the investigation. The test and survey were administered prior to and after structured ethics training and ethics training embedded within the curriculum. The results of this study showed a significant difference in ethics knowledge after completion of the structured ethics training module for both groups. After receiving structured ethics …

Student Preferences For Active Learning And Their Beliefs, Experiences, And Knowledge, Tammy Shilling, Jerome Thayer, Anneris Coria-Navia, Heather Ferguson

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Active teaching methods are believed to facilitate higher-order thinking skills and prepare allied health students for independent clinical decision-making. This quantitative, correlational study aimed to explain the relationships between student preferences for active over traditional methods and their beliefs, the frequency and positiveness of their experiences, and the extent of knowledge they have received regarding active and traditional teaching methods. Two hundred and thirty students completed a 53-item online survey. Students were enrolled in a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Masters in Speech-language Pathology, or Bachelor of Science Nursing program in one of seventeen participating institutions across a ten-state Midwest region. …

Enriching Pre-Clinical Education With Near-Peer Learning Experiences, Alisha P. Springle, Danika L. Pfeiffer, Corrin Gillis

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the outcomes of two instructional methodologies (traditional and peer-assisted learning; PAL) used in a clinical methods course for undergraduate speech-language pathology (SLP) students. The sample included 53 undergraduate SLP students (near-peer learners) as well as 27 graduate SLP students and 7 clinical fellows (near-peer tutors). Traditional instruction was used during the first half of the course and PAL was added during the second half. The undergraduate SLP students’ weekly written reflections and grades (mid-term and final) were collected for analysis. Students demonstrated a preference for peer- and near-peer learning experiences …

Cognitive Processes Used By Graduate Students During Case-Based Aac Assessment And Intervention Think-Aloud Tasks, Allison M. Sauerwein, Jennifer J. Thistle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Think-alouds are a validated data collection method that have been used across disciplines in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Scholarly teachers in CSD can use think-alouds to uncover the cognitive processes students use when completing case-based learning assignments. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe graduate students’ thought processes when planning for AAC assessment and intervention during think-aloud tasks. A total of 19 CSD graduate students were given cases and completed think-alouds in groups while planning for AAC assessment and intervention. Students’ think-alouds were recorded, transcribed, and then coded using the revised Bloom’s taxonomy. All groups …

The Flipped Classroom Model As Applied To An Augmentative And Alternative Communication Course, Eric J. Sanders, Louise C. Keegan, Mary Culshaw, Colin Tomes

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The Flipped Classroom Model (FCM) is an andragogical approach where students complete content-related work outside of the class and engage in activities related to this content during the class period. This approach has garnered recent attention in the field of speech-language pathology, but its implementation has not been studied in an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) course and there is limited information on student perspectives of the experience. This study presents the results of a qualitative investigation designed to investigate the preferences and experiences of preservice speech-language pathology graduate students in an AAC course utilizing the FCM. Semi-structured interviews with …

Using Ability Grouping To Examine The Effects Of Differentiated Instruction In An Undergraduate Course In Communication Sciences & Disorders, Katherine B. Green, Jacqueline Towson

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Differentiated instruction is a student-centered approach to instruction that considers the differing characteristics and aspects of the learner. With increasing diversity in higher education, differentiated instruction is one strategy that instructors may use to facilitate student success. However, there is limited empirical research examining the effectiveness of differentiated instruction in higher education. Using a quasi-experimental pretest posttest group design, the effects of differentiation of instruction, specifically differentiation of content and variable grouping, on student content knowledge were examined in an undergraduate course in a Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Students in the intervention group scored significantly higher on final course …

The Creation Of A Multicultural Foundational Course: From Research To Practice, Audrey M. Farrugia

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The American Speech Language Hearing Association requires that multicultural content be included in graduate communication and sciences disorders programs. However, there is a paucity of research on the ways that this is achieved. The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail a multicultural course created from best practices gathered from research literature, conference presentations, and syllabi sources in communication sciences and disorders and share student reflections of the created course. Student feedback from this study shows that foundational courses can improve cultural competency but careful consideration of discussion format and time dedicated to communities should take place.

A Pilot Investigation Of Critical Thinking In Undergraduate Students Of Communication Sciences And Disorders, David M. Rehfeld, Tracey N. Sulak, Deborah Rainer, Janice Stewart, Nadine Welch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Speech-language pathologists use critical thinking on a daily basis to identify, evaluate, and implement evidence-based practices with their clients. Currently, however, there are minimal data describing the critical thinking of undergraduate students in the field of communication sciences and disorders. Without these data, it is unclear if and how students’ critical thinking differs at various points during their pre-service training. In the present study, we used the Cornell Critical Thinking Test – Level Z to describe the general critical thinking skills of 142 undergraduate students enrolled in two lower- (n = 95) and upper- (n = 47) level courses at …

Interprofessional Education And Practice: Perspectives From Students In Speech-Language Pathology And Recreational Therapy, David Hajjar, Jan Elich-Monroe, Susan Durnford

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Interprofessional education and practice (IPE/IPP) are important components for undergraduate and graduate students to experience during their programs of study in speech-language pathology and related health professions. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is a member organization of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) which promotes four core competencies required for effective practice: values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams and teamwork. The purpose of this study was to gather the lived experiences from eight pre-professional students, four from speech-language pathology (SLP) and four from recreational therapy(RT), during focus groups and discussion forums conducted before, during, and after a 14-week IPE/IPP clinical …

Clinical Education Outcomes And Research Directions In Speech-Language Pathology: A Scoping Review, George W. Wolford, Schea Fissel Brannick, Sarah Strother, Laura Wolford

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: To describe what researchers are investigating and how they are measuring the constructs of their investigations within the speech-language pathology (SLP) clinical education literature.

Method: A scoping review methodology (Arksey & O’Malley, 2005) was employed to develop a picture of clinical education articles which reported a measured outcome. Articles that met criteria were categorized by the purpose of the investigation and the outcome measures reported.

Result: 124 articles met inclusion criteria. Analysis of study purposes revealed a wide breadth of foci that were grouped into four broad clusters: Outcome Measures, Student Perspectives, Educational Contexts, and Teaching Methods. Most of …

Student Perceptions Of A Simulated Clinical Experience: A Pilot Study, Haley Elliott, Klaire Brumbaugh

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to document the experience of using a computer-based simulated (Simucase, 2019) learning opportunity in a Master of Science in speech-language pathology program.

Method: Focus groups were held utilizing a semi-structured interview format. Themes were identified using a qualitative methodological approach. Participants were first year graduate students (N=10) that were interviewed after completing an eight-week simulated learning opportunity.

Results: Seven themes emerged from the data. The themes were as follows: setup of the computer-based simulation, the incorporation of computer-based simulation in courses, supplemental information that assisted in development of clinical knowledge, …

Interprofessional Experience For Future Education Professionals: School Psychology And Speech-Language Pathology Students, Shari L. Deveney, Brian Mckevitt

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Educational training programs are tasked with addressing potential barriers to interprofessional practice through experiences that promote interprofessional collaborations. The present study of interprofessional experiences (IPE) had both research and pedagogical purposes. The research purpose was to describe graduate student self-perceptions related to interprofessional teaming/collaboration before and after an IPE involving two educational training programs, school psychology and speech-language pathology. The pedagogical purpose was to convey a detailed description of a case-based IPE offered as a course assignment and offer implementation suggestions. Participants in this course-based IPE were 109 students in the school psychology and speech-language pathology graduate programs at a …

Assessing Outcomes Of Simulation In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Erin S. Clinard

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Assessment is an ongoing process that is necessary at every stage of designing, implementing, and evaluating simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs). Designing and aligning a high-quality assessment process provides instructors and researchers with valuable data to understand if students have met the desired simulation learning objectives, where students are in their learning, and opportunities to enhance the SBLE. This reflection discusses the importance of assessing student learning outcomes as well as the effectiveness of all simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). While the benefits and effectiveness of simulation have been demonstrated in other health professions, simulation research …

Comparing In Vivo Versus Simulation Training For Transnasal Endoscopy Skills, Laura L. Wolford, George W. Wolford

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES) is as important of a swallowing evaluation as the videoflouroscopic swallow study, but far fewer speech-language pathologists are competent in its use (Ambika, Datta, Manjula, Warawantkar, & Thomas, 2019; Brady & Donzelli, 2013; Pisegna & Langmore, 2016). One hurdle in FEES training is the necessity of practicing transnasal endoscopy on volunteers. The primary aim of this study was to compare the learning effectiveness of practicing transnasal endoscopy via simulation with practice in vivo for a student’s first passes of the endoscope. The end goal of this study was to determine the most cost-effective and …

Communication Sciences And Disorders Faculty Perceptions Of Interprofessional Education, Janine L. Schmedding-Bartley, Courtney Karasinski

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Engagement in interprofessional collaborative practice is critical for communication disorders professionals to provide quality clinical services. Given limited research on implementation of interprofessional education (IPE) within communication disorders pre-professional training programs and research highlighting potential barriers to implementation of IPE, this investigation assessed communication sciences and disorders (CSD) faculty attitudes toward IPE. One hundred fifty-eight CSD faculty from accredited CSD graduate programs completed the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (Norris, Carpenter, Eaton, Guo, Lassche, Pett, & Blumenthal, 2016). Collectively, the faculty supported CSD students learning from and with students from different disciplines and endorsed IPE as beneficial. Faculty with master’s degrees were …

Guiding Students' Clinical Writing And Critical Thinking: Utilizing Scholarly Teaching To Develop And Implement A Clinical Writing Rubric, Bonnie Halvorson-Bourgeois, Mary Riotte, Susan Lambrecht Smith, Lesley Maxwell

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this paper is to describe the scholarly teaching approach used to develop, implement and refine a clinical writing rubric used to provide formative feedback to graduate students in an in-house Speech-Language Pathology graduate clinic. In addition to outlining the approach, details of the rubric and supporting documentation are provided.

Toward The Development Of A Quick, Reliable Assessment Tool For Reflective Journals, April Garrity, Casey Keck, Janet L. Bradshaw, Keiko Ishikawa

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Reflective practice, including reflective writing, can facilitate enriched learning, especially when implemented as part of a service-learning (SL) experience. Reflection is a central component of service-learning (SL) experiences. Students’ reflective abilities are often measured through reflective journaling; however, assessment of students’ reflective journals is not always efficient and straightforward. The goal of the present study was to establish a simple, reliable, and relatively quick tool for use by busy college instructors seeking to encourage students’ deep learning through reflective writing. A total of 258 reflective journals from 43 graduate students in speech-language pathology were evaluated by three raters using a …

Cognitive Dissonance Of Graduate Students During Clinical Sessions Of A Literacy Program: Types Of Episodes And Their Resolution, Pam Britton Reese, Ludwika Aniela Goodson

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This study provided an authentic context for examining cognitive dissonance of graduate students who were learning clinical skills in a six-week language and literacy project designed for young children. These student-clinicians received instruction four days a week in classroom sessions and began clinical sessions with children after each class. Signature pedagogies in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) provided the foundation for the instruction and clinical supervision. In their sessions with the children, the student-clinicians were expected to apply knowledge gained from the classroom and supervisor guidance. Journal entries, supervisor notes, clinical observation records, and transcripts from interviews were coded for …

The Gendered Experiences Of Male Students In A Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program: A Multi-Case Study, Jairus-Joaquin R. Matthews, Derek E. Daniels

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Speech-language pathology is a profession with a gender disparity wherein the majority of speech-language pathologists are female. This disparity is also reflected in speech-language pathology graduate programs. The American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association has developed many initiatives over the years to address this issue, yet the gender disparity still remains. The purpose of this study was to develop some initial insights into reasons that men enter into the profession of speech-language pathology, and their experiences in graduate programs. In this qualitative case-study approach, interviews were conducted with four male graduate students. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for major …

Interprofessional Education For Pre-Service School-Based Professionals: Faculty And Student Collaboration, Julie Strunk, Debi Kipps-Vaughan, Stacey L. Pavelko, Dannette Allen-Bronaugh, Karen Myers, Tammy Gilligan, Michele Kielty, Elizabeth Richardson, Joseph Tacy

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Interprofessional collaboration is necessary for school-based professionals who provide services for students with disabilities. Most pre-service training, however, takes place in separate programs and does not afford students opportunities to learn effective collaborative techniques. This study examined the effects of a one-day interprofessional learning experience for pre-service school-based professionals. The goals were twofold: 1) increase students’ understanding of the core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice (Interprofessional Education Collaborative, 2016) and 2) provide an opportunity for students to participate in interprofessional collaboration within a simulated school-based context. A mixed method design examined changes in students’ knowledge of the IPEC competencies. Students …

Training Students Through A Community Outreach Program To Support Families Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Joann P. Benigno`, John W. Mccarthy, Sarah O. Taylor, Bridget Gornichec Wright, Chao-Yang Lee

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This outreach program involved training eight graduate and 19 undergraduate students to create evidence-based communication supports for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the context of a two-course sequence on ASD. During the training program, ten families in rural Appalachia benefited from our services. Student and family satisfaction data with the outreach program was highly positive. Undergraduate and graduate university students participating in the program met or partially met 97% of their goals set at the beginning of each semester. Undergraduate students’ self-ratings of their own knowledge about material covered in the course were significantly higher than …

An Exploratory Study Of Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions Of Multicultural Counseling In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Crystal C. Randolph, Janet L. Bradshaw

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perceptions of multicultural counseling vary according to their academic (teaching and learning), educational, supervisory, supervisee, and clinical experiences. With the increase of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, the implementation of multicultural counseling in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) is essential to providing efficacious assessments and interventions. The current research reports data from a recent survey that queried SLPs’ perceptions of multicultural counseling in CSD. Results from the survey reveal that SLPs' perceptions of MC vary according to their experiences (e.g., educational, supervisory, clinical).

Speech-Language Pathology Student Participation In Verbal Reflective Practice Groups: Perceptions Of Development, Value And Group Condition Differences., Gina D. Tillard, Kate Cook, Daniel Gerhard, Lydia Keast, Megan Mcauliffe

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The aim of this study was to determine whether significant differences in perceptions of reflective practice were present across two groups of students engaged in standard practice and experimental group conditions. Twenty-seven undergraduate speech-language pathology students participated in the study. A two-condition, non-randomised, pre-test post-test design was employed with two groups (a standard practice condition and an experimental practice condition, utilizing structured activities and prompts). Participants took part in weekly reflective practice groups over a six week period, in which discussion centered on students’ clinical experiences. Pre and post intervention, the students completed a questionnaire designed to examine perceptions of …

Impact Of Virtual Simulation And Coaching On The Interpersonal Collaborative Communication Skills Of Speech-Language Pathology Students: A Pilot Study, Jacqueline A. Towson Ph.D., Ccc-Slp, Matthew S. Taylor Ph.D., Jennifer Tucker Pt, Dpt, Pcs, Claire Paul Ph.D., Bcba, Patrick Pabian Pt, Dpt, Scs, Ocs, Richard I. Zraick Ph.D., Ccc-Slp

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Communication between clinicians, teachers, and family members is a critical skill when addressing and providing for the individual needs of patients. However, graduate students in speech-language pathology (SLP) programs often have limited opportunities to practice these skills prior to or during externship placements. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of virtual-reality based rehearsal with coaching on the interpersonal collaborative communication skills of SLP graduate students when delivering information regarding a singular patient to different stakeholders. Three graduate students completing their third semester in a SLP program participated in the study. Each participant was provided a clinical …

Faculty Perspectives Of Student-Faculty Collaborative Course Design, Lauren H. Mead

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This qualitative research study explored speech-language pathology (SLP) faculty perspectives of collaborative course design (CCD). For the purposes of this study, the term “faculty” includes all those who teach at the university level. Student-faculty CCD offers benefits to course instructors and students; however, research regarding this topic is lacking in the field of SLP. Interviews with faculty members in SLP programs explored faculty perspectives regarding the incorporation of student input into course design as well as anticipated benefits and challenges involved. The results of this study identified several factors related to faculty reluctance to use CCD, including reluctance to share …

Clinical Decision-Making In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students: Quantitative Findings, Carol C. Dudding, Danika L. Pfeiffer

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Clinicians’ decision-making skills are the foundation for the development and implementation of evidence-based practice to provide high quality clinical care. It is proposed that these skills are a result of hands-on clinical experiences (Crebbin, Beasley, & Watters, 2013). Yet some researchers contend that the development of clinical decision-making skills requires direct instruction in critical thinking (Abrami et al., 2011; Finn, 2011). The aim of this study was to explore if and when clinical decision-making processes of speech-language pathology (SLP) students change during graduate study. Web-based case simulations were used to elicit and measure clinical decision-making in eight graduate students at …

Speech-Language Pathology Students’ Perceptions Of An Ipe Stroke Workshop: A One-Year Follow Up, Sarah E. Wallace

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Interprofessional education (IPE) activities are increasingly included in speech-language pathology (SLP) curriculum; however, little is known about IPE’s impact on students’ clinical experiences. Additionally, few studies have examined students’ perceptions of IPE Competency Domains across a program of study or within specific IPE activities. For this initial study, qualitative and quantitative analyses of 24 SLP students’ survey responses one year after an IPE Stroke Workshop highlighted the value of IPE. Students emphasized the importance of hands on and real life activities as part of interprofessional learning. Additionally, their responses suggest that multiple IPE Competency Domains may be addressed within a …