Best models for blended learning between graduate students and professionals

Awardees: Bethany Kotlar, Henning Tiemeier, Sejal Vashi, Lorna Perkins (SPH)

Summary: Awardees will test a series of blended learning modules designed to facilitate collaborative learning between professional and graduate students to highlight best practices in using blended learning to allow collaborative, co-education between professionals and graduate students.

Representatives from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) will partner to test a series of blended learning modules designed to facilitate collaborative learning between professional and graduate students through a series of activities. The evaluation of each activity will include a pre- and post-assessment targeting knowledge gain, usability of the models, and perceived strengths and weaknesses of this approach for enhanced learning; qualitative focus groups involving professional and graduate student learners; and a potential content analysis of online discussion.

Awardees aim to host six events and one longitudinal program and a white paper summarizing key findings and lessons learned. The experimental modules are designed to answer the following questions for best practices in blended learning: a) What is the best format for blended student/professional learning? b) What is the best method to catalyze collaborative learning between students and professionals? c) What timeframe is necessary to benefit from blended learning between students and professionals? d) What are the challenges and opportunities in blending both the learning environment and type of learner?