Pedagogical Approaches to Enhance Student Learning in the New Inter-professional Health Science Units at the Australian Catholic University

Hemant Mehta, Abdur Rouf 
(School of Arts and Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Australia)

Abstract: Nursing and Physiotherapy student attendance at lectures in the new inter-professional unit, Human Biological Science 1, was variable and poor at times. Students’ learning behavior was observed, and they were influenced to develop effective study habits. In addition, several changes were made to the way lectures and unit content were delivered in the second semester unit, Human Biological Science 2. Students’ academic performances in the two first year units were analyzed. Compared to Human Biological Science 1, there was a reduction in failure rates and increase in the proportion of students achieving higher grades in Human Biological Science 2. The changes made in the lecture pedagogy and the delivery of the science content led to remarkable improvements in student engagement and academic performance in the second semester unit.

Key words: engaging students, inter-professional education, health science