Medical Education (PgCert)

How will I be taught?

The course is organised into a series of modules that involve interactive activities delivered within an online environment. These activities are conducted within groups, each one being facilitated by an online tutor. This affords an opportunity for you to explore the module topic through discussion and clarification, and it also gives you the opportunity and time to apply new learning through the online discussions, tasks, blogs and assignments. There is ample time to reflect on your own practice and share experiences and new insights with colleagues. You are encouraged to engage in critical dialogue that promotes deeper insight into educational theory and principles which apply to clinical education. 

You will complete high quality level 7 evidence-based practice assessments, which are directly relevant to your clinical educational practice, and you will be encouraged and supported to gain knowledge within the field of medical education. 

This course will be delivered entirely through online distance learning, and you can, therefore, access it from anywhere within the international healthcare professional community. This also allows for a degree of flexibility of study to suit your individual needs. Support will be provided wherever possible to meet those needs. 

The course is delivered via Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central. The course uses a wide range of online approaches to learner support and development. Learning and teaching methods encompass a range of strategies and techniques to promote co-operative, purposeful learning. The teaching takes place online in group settings, which are facilitated by online tutors. There are a variety of tasks in each module, all of which provide an opportunity for discussion, debate, exploration and peer interaction and are designed to enhance learning, as well as encourage guided and independent study. 

Online tutors play a key role in the delivery of teaching for each module. Practical application is a key feature of the course, and you will be encouraged to try out new approaches to teaching and learning throughout the programme. Synthesising your knowledge and applying theory to practice within your own clinical teaching setting will be a central requirement of both formal assessment and formative work. Opportunities to develop your teamwork and collaboration skills will be available through your tasks and activities within discussion boards, webinars, and general engagement in debates with tutors and peer groups. Teaching will be delivered by a multi-professional teaching team from within the Cardiff University School of Medicine’s Centre for Medical Education (C4ME). You also will receive regular constructive feedback throughout the course to stimulate your enthusiasm and provide support, thus ensuring that you will have the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes. The use of multiple approaches for you to learn will build a community of practice and enhance your collaboration with your peers and the faculty. 

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, both to inform learning (formative) and to assess learning (summative). All assignment tasks are linked to your educational practice. For example, typical assignments may relate to developing a lesson plan underpinned by learning theory, creating a standalone media resource, critiquing assessment methods, or writing a series of reflections on your role as an educator during the peer review module. The assessments have been chosen to ensure that the learning outcomes are appropriately tested and that the teaching methods leading up to these assessments are suitable. The formative assessments are wide ranging to allow you to focus on areas that best suit your learning needs and clinical role. The summative assignments aim to ensure these areas are appropriate for your learning needs, area of practice, and areas of interest, making them very educationally focused. 

How will I be supported?

A team of academic, administrative, learning technology and library staff is available throughout the year to support you. You will receive written feedback on all your assignments. In addition, there are many opportunities throughout the course to receive peer and tutor feedback. You will be allocated a personal tutor who will support your progress on the course, monitoring your general progress, discussing relevant issues, and providing advice, guidance and support. They will contact you at various points during the course. There are a variety of tasks and activities in each module, and you will discuss a range of educational issues through engagement in these with online tutors and peers. Personal tutors will comment on your reflective blog if you wish, and this exchange is an opportunity for you to engage in a dialogue about your educational roles, responsibilities and experiences in your clinical setting. This will also be done through your personal development maps and educational discussion in the discussion fora.  

Formative feedback will be communicated through electronic and written means in a timely manner. Summative feedback on assessment will be delivered within the timeframe set by the University. 

Students are expected to actively take part in the online schedule of activities offered by the course, which will also help them meet other students online.  The course content is housed on Learning Central, a platform that is designed to deliver a great student experience online. Engagement on the learning platform is enhanced by a number of asynchronous discussion boards and synchronous webinars.

Fellowship support is available via personal tutors, online webinars, discussion forums and reflective blogs.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you. 

On successful completion of the Programme, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

KU 1 critically review learning and teaching approaches in clinical educational settings and professional practice.

KU 2 critically evaluate education, theories and models to inform assessment choices, peer review and the use of media to design inclusive learning environments relevant to meet and support diverse learning needs and in line with professional standards for engagement and effective learning  

KU 3 synthesise the evidence to design inclusive learning environments with coherence, integration and relevance to meet and support diverse learning needs and in line with professional standards for engagement and effective learning.

KU 4 reflect on and demonstrate alignment of learning and teaching practice with UK professional standards and professional values (Advance HE UKPSF, Academy of Medical Educators, and GMC).

Intellectual Skills:

IS 1 use a range of educational strategies, tools, models and frameworks, critically reviewing their strengths and weaknesses to inform educational practice.

IS 2 promote critical self-awareness and reflection on educational practice to inform educational development.

IS 3 foster creativity, innovation and ethical practice in educational developments within clinical education. 

Professional Practical Skills:

PS 1 navigate digital environments, familiarisation with Learning Central, study skills and library resources, Grade Centre, and Turnitin.

PS 2 synthesise concepts in order to further develop personal and professional practice.

PS 3 demonstrate effective communication skills in a postgraduate student arena.

Transferable/Key Skills:

KS 1 utilise search strategies to identify and evaluate best practice in medical education.

KS 2 plan, organise and manage coursework effectively, demonstrating independence, initiative and originality.

KS 3 communicate accurately, clearly and concisely in a variety of styles, using a range of media to a wide variety of audiences.