Browsing by Author "Mthembu, Sindi"

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    The impact of a faculty development programme for health professions educators in sub-Saharan Africa: an archival study
    (BioMed Central -The Open Access Publisher, 2015-02-19) Frantz, Jose M.; Bezuidenhout, Juanita; Burch, Vanessa; Mthembu, Sindi; Rowe, Michael; Tan, Christina; Van Wyk, Jacqueline; Van Heerden, Ben
    BACKGROUND: In 2008 the sub-Saharan FAIMER Regional Institute launched a faculty development programme aimed at enhancing the academic and research capacity of health professions educators working in sub-Saharan Africa. This two-year programme, a combination of residential and distance learning activities, focuses on developing the leadership, project management and programme evaluation skills of participants as well as teaching the key principles of health professions education-curriculum design, teaching and learning and assessment. Participants also gain first-hand research experience by designing and conducting an education innovation project in their home institutions. This study was conducted to determine the perceptions of participants regarding the personal and professional impact of the SAFRI programme. METHODS: A retrospective document review, which included data about fellows who completed the programme between 2008 and 2011, was performed. Data included fellows’ descriptions of their expectations, reflections on achievements and information shared on an online discussion forum. Data were analysed using Kirkpatrick’s evaluation framework. RESULTS: Participants (n=61) came from 10 African countries and included a wide range of health professions educators. Five key themes about the impact of the SAFRI programme were identified: (1) belonging to a community of practice, (2) personal development, (3) professional development, (4) capacity development, and (5) tools/strategies for project management and/or advancement. CONCLUSION: The SAFRI programme has a positive developmental impact on both participants and their respective institutions.
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    Learning styles among nursing students, the implications for higher education institutions: A systematic review
    (Unisa Press, 2014) Frantz, Jose M.; Mthembu, Sindi
    Understanding the learning styles of nursing students has been highlighted as an area in the scholarship of teaching that needs attention. The aim of this review was to determine the common learning styles of nursing students and the appropriate teaching styles needed. A search was conducted using various databases and journals for the period from 2000 to 2013. Two reviewers independently evaluated the methodological quality of the studies reviewed. The results are presented in a narrative. The 11 articles included in the review represented four continents and were primarily descriptive studies. The review highlighted that nursing students prefer the kinaesthetic and multimodal learning styles. Kinaesthetic learners prefer live examples and lots of interaction. Interactive and real-life experiences as teaching methodologies are the preferred methods of nursing students and are seen as a holistic approach that incorporates all of their senses of seeing, feeling, smelling, hearing and sometimes tasting.