Hello Rotation Students,
I would like to welcome you to the Pharmacy Skills Lab I (PSL I) Academic Rotation. I believe each component of the rotation will provide you with rich experiences that are representative of the demands placed on course instructors in their quest to be effective teachers. The Academic Rotations for PSL I are based on two recent additions to the course curriculum:
- Literature Search-Review-Analysis-Synthesis-Presentation-Discussion (1st Rotation Cycle)
- Peer Assessment of Written Communications Skills- (2nd Rotation Cycle).
A detailed description of each rotation is included in the rotation syllabus. Students will be responsible for the research, development, implementation, presentation (lecture) and assessment of students for each cycle. Rotation students will perform these tasks taking into consideration their target audience (1st year students) and how best to convey course content (teaching methods) in an effective and engaging manner. To aid in students’ preparation of lecture materials, two training seminars will be provided by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Seminars include: (1) Developing Effective Lectures and (2) Introduction to Blackboard (course administration and survey development).
At the completion of the PSL I Academic Rotation, students will have an opportunity to reflect on their instructional experiences by developing a Philosophy of Teaching statement that will be posted on the Teaching Portfolio webpages. Teaching Portfolio webpages will showcase work completed by rotation students over the six (6) week period. Other sections included on the portfolio webpage are content development, assessments, lecture presentations and journal reflections.
It is my hope that your encounters and experiences throughout the six week rotation will enable you to assess whether academia is a possible career path of interest. I look forward to working with you and I eagerly await your perceptions and reflections on rotation experiences.
Sincerely,
Dr. Linda Blakley
Course Coordinator, PSL I
Director, Student Academic Performance & Support
