‘Going virtual’: Innovative online faculty development during COVID‑19
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
In response to the national lockdown in South Africa due to the COVID‑19
pandemic, educational institutions adapted their programmes to meet the
challenges of the disruption in teaching and learning. In line with this need,
the Sub-Saharan African FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI) was faced with
the challenge of exploring innovative ways to continue faculty development
workshops. The SAFRI programme focuses on developing African health
professions educators as leaders, teachers, scholars and advocates for change
at multiple levels, including individual, school and university, and the health
professions.[1] The faculty development workshops, which are traditionally
face-to-face, are placed at the end of the 18-month fellowship. Playing a
leadership role in developing and facilitating these workshops provides a
meaningful learning experience for the fellows to become active role-players
and change agents in their own institutions and the broader community of
practice. Participation may foster capacity development in areas such as
leadership for educational interventions and support for academic activities.
It also provides fellows with authentic opportunities to draw on the
theories and exposures that were gained during the fellowship. Some of the
competencies to plan and implement the faculty development workshops
include self and team management, leadership, conflict management and
the application of educational skills.
Description
Keywords
Online faculty development, Covid-19, South Africa, National lockdown, Educational institutions
Citation
Maart, R. et al. (2021). ‘Going virtual’: Innovative online faculty development during COVID‑19. African Journal of Health Professions Education,13(3). 179-181. https://doi.org/10.7196/AJHPE.2021.v13i3.1516