Utilizing instructor practice experience to promote critical thinking for program proposals in an undergraduate public health course

Abstract

Objective: To encourage the inclusion of research practice in instruction. Methods: The choice to bring existing research into a classroom to enhance student engagement and learning does not have to rest with one’s own practice; however, those whose primary responsibility is to teach may be required to connect their research to teaching. Results: This article describes one instructor’s use of research to introduce evaluation concepts to undergraduate program planning students and suggests the value of sharing field experiences. Outcomes: The example field work is a handwashing program for preschool children for which the instructor was hired to complete an evaluation. Instructors who do not engage in research may find inspiration for classroom activities in the works of others, especially in the public health field.

Keywords:

• Field work
• program evaluation
• program planning coursework
• teaching

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the students in SBS 3496/3596 who make teaching an absolute delight!

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received clearance from the Institutional Review Board of Temple University.

Additional information

Funding

The handwashing project was funded through a private grant, no other funder sources were utilized for this paper.