F.A. Davis Student Engagement in Med Term

Reflection to Support Learning Health profession faculty may be so busy helping students grasp concepts important to the student’s discipline, they may not consider planning for student reflection on their learning experience. Yet Cross (2018) suggests several benefits to regular reflection in learning that can aid in the retention of important content. Perhaps most importantly, it encourages learners to take charge of their own learning. Reflection also helps students to make strong connections between multiple learning experiences. Equally important, it sparks social interaction which according to Eyler (2018) is effective in encouraging engagement. Because reflection is a critical part of the learning process, medical terminology faculty can ask students to reflect on their learning experience. Such questions might include: § What did I learn from this exercise? § What areas do I need to review? § What resources should I use for this review? § What other areas of my study will these reflections help? Conclusion Effective use of the language of medicine by health professionals is a key component of a successful career, particularly as interprofessional collaboration becomes increasingly important in a complex healthcare arena. Health Professions faculty play a vital role in students’ development of competence in the use of medical terminology. Developing engaging learning activities will go a long way in supporting students’ success. References Cross, L. (2018) Why reflection encourages a better learning experience. Learning Pool. August 18. https:// learningpool.com/why-reflection-encourages-a-better-learning-experience/ Accessed, 2023. Eyler, J.R. (2018) How Humans Learn. The science and stories behind effective college teaching. West Virginia University Morgantown. About the author Susan Sportsman, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN , is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant with over 10 years of consulting experience, providing program development and other consultation services to nursing and health professions programs throughout the United States and Canada. Previously, she served as Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.