Heidi Mortensen

Presenting course materials in a way to demonstrate the lesson (and to consider attention span) is critical. Studies show the importance of considering the attention span factor (Mizuno et al., 2011). Reference Kei Mizuno, Masaaki Tanaka, Sanae Fukuda, Emi Yamano, Yoshihito Shigihara, Kyoko Imai-Matsumura, Yasuyoshi WatanabeLow (2011). visual information-processing speed and attention are predictors of fatigue in elementary and junior high school students. Behav Brain Funct. 7: 20. Published online 2011 June 14. doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-7-20 PMCID: PMC3126715

I realize it is key to be prepared for the first class meeting (and all following meetings) but the first one leaves the importance first impression. Being fully prepared is so essential. Studies on peer review instruction notes the essential element of preparedness (Seymour et al., 2013), Reference Seymour, J.E., Almack, K., Kennedy, S., & Froggatt, K. Peer education for advance care planning: volunteers’ perspectives on training and community engagement activitiesHealth Expect. 2013 March; 16(1): 43–55. doi: 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00688.x PMCID: PMC3607415 J

Planning my lessons for students is vital. Because I sometimes teach and coach doctoral students, I have one-on-one teaching. Thus, I must plan as to tailor the lesson to most benefit the individual student. Individualizing planning to best fit the need of the student can be essential (McDonald et al., 2010). Reference McDonald Connor, C., Ponitz, C., Phillips, B. M., Travis, M., Glasney, S., & Morrisonc, F. J. (2010). First graders' literacy and self-regulation gains: The effect of individualizing student instruction. J Sch Psychol. 48(5): 433–455. J Sch Psychol. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2010.06.003 PMCID: PMC2976978 NIHMSID: NIHMS234655

Instructional style really matters. Working on ways to appropriately develop an instructional style is imperative. Studies have indicated that developing proper instructional styles is necessary (Kendall & Schussler, 2012). This module has motivated me to really focus on further developing a suitable instructional style that will be the most beneficial to my students. Reference Kendall, K. D. & Schussler, E. E. (2012). Does Instructor Type Matter? Undergraduate Student Perception of Graduate Teaching Assistants and Professors CBE Life Sciences Education. 11(2): 187–199. doi: 10.1187/cbe.11-10-0091 PMCID: PMC3366904

Instructors really need to use stress coping mechanisms to appropriately handle stress. Medical literature points the need of using coping mechanisms to properly cope with stress (Myers, Fleming, Lancman, Perrine,& Lancman, 2013). Reference Myers L, Fleming M, Lancman M, Perrine K, Lancman M. (2013). Stress coping strategies in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and how they relate to trauma symptoms, alexithymia, anger and mood. Seizure. 2013 May 17. pii: S1059-1311(13)00131-3. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.04.018. [Epub ahead of print]

Stress is very real and needs to be identified and responded to (Hochberg, Berman, Kalet, Zabar, Gillespie, & Pachter, 2013). It is very critical for instructors to assess their stress levels in order to cope appropriately. Reference Hochberg, M. S., Berman, R. S., Kalet, A. L., Zabar, S. R, Gillespie, C., & Pachter, H. L. (2013). The stress of residency: recognizing the signs of depression and suicide in you and your fellow residents. Am J Surg. ;205(2):141-6. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2012.08.003. Epub 2012 Dec 13.

Development and assessment of creating exams in the medical education world is critical. Sometimes assessments lead to needing to change curriculum (Niedermier, Way, Kasick, & Kuperschmidt, (2010). Reference Niedermier, J., Way, D., Kasick, D., & Kuperschmidt, R. (2010). Effect of curriculum change on exam performance in a 4-week psychiatry clerkship. Academic Psychiatry. 34(3):216-9. doi: 10.1176/appi.ap.34.3.216.

In the medical world, time management is key. Consultant medical microbiologists (CMMs) need to manage their time by focussing on the highest priority tasks first (Riordan, Cartwright, Cunningham, Logan, & Wright, 2007). Reference Riordan, T., Cartwright, K., Cunningham, R., Logan, M., & Wright, P. (2007). A survey of time management and particular tasks undertaken by consultant microbiologists in the UK. J Clin Pathology.