Abstract

Delivering case-method teaching through online platforms: Adapting active-learning techniques and maximizing learner engagement

Bryn Austin, ScD1, Erin B. Gibson, MPH2, Megan Kipp, EdM3, Chris Dede, EdD4 and Holly C. Gooding, MD, MSc5
(1)Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, (2)Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, (3)Bloom Learning Design, Boston, MA, (4)Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA, (5)Emory University, Atlanta, GA

APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)

Teaching cases facilitate participatory learning as students collaborate to resolve real-world problems through critical thinking and interactive work. With the goal of expanding case-method teaching via digital learning platforms in effective and engaging ways, our online learning curricula development team transformed our teaching case, “‘Who’s Calling Me Fat?’ Or, How Columbia Got Its Obesity Prevention Campaign Back on Track” that was original designed for in-person classroom administration into an e-course. The goal of the e-course was to increase skills in social marketing for health promotion and to reduce harmful weight stigma in public health campaigns. We pilot tested and evaluated the e-course with nearly 40 public health professionals and graduate students across the U.S. Participants completed pre- and post-course surveys with quantitative and qualitative evaluation components. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques. Participants’ knowledge significantly improved from pre- to post-evaluation of the e-course. Participants gave high mean ratings on measures associated with level of engagement with the e-course, relevance of assignments, satisfaction with the online format, and effectiveness of the course in increasing skills in the targeted domains. Participants’ qualitative feedback indicated immediate applicability for these skills in their work and helped us evaluate strengths and areas for improvement in the course design. The findings of this e-course pilot can inform future initiatives to deliver case-method teaching via online learning platforms.

Public health or related education