Focusing on strengthening master’s level courses and programs at Bayero University Kano (BUK) in Nigeria, a team from the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health developed a two-week intensive course on theories and best practices in teaching methods and mentorship. The course, “Improving Didactic Educational Approaches to Learning Methods” (IDEAL), was developed by Chase Stober, Elizabeth Rose, EdD, MPH, Marie Martin, PhD, MEd, and Megan Davis. Seven faculty members from BUK attended this immersive course at Vanderbilt and have begun revising courses in BUK’s Master of Science in Public Health (MScPH) program.
The IDEAL course and subsequent MScPH course revisions are part of the NIH Fogarty International Center D43 grant, “Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH)-Bayero University Kano (BUK)-Vanderbilt: Developing Future Leaders in Child Neurology and Epilepsy Research” (ABV). ABV aims to provide research training and mentoring to physician-scientists in northern Nigeria under the leadership of Edwin Trevathan, MD, MPH and Zubairu Iliyasu, MPH (Glasg.), PhD (Shef.), FMCPH, FWACP. Through ABV, Faculty Fellows are mentored in developing new courses and enhancing current courses to strengthen the BUK MScPH program in training future research leaders.
IDEAL trainees learn teaching and learning theories to maximize students’ knowledge uptake and retention, create an inclusive and inviting learning environment, and mentor students in professional and personal development. Furthermore, IDEAL prepares faculty to mentor ABV Scholars and ABV Executive Scholars.
The IDEAL course is divided into five workshops exploring selected topics in teaching, student learning, course planning, and mentoring. Each workshop is led by Vanderbilt faculty and staff members in a thematic area corresponding to their expertise. The workshops are designed to be an interactive learning experience that aids trainees in developing, revising, and honing a course. Course activities and assessments include pre- and post-course tests, developing a teaching philosophy, revising a course syllabus, daily review presentations, and a final presentation.
NIH Fogarty International Center grant D43TW011949 supports the Vanderbilt IDEAL Program.