Terminology
RUSM ATL Faculty Development & Medical Education Research and Scholarship

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  • Course: A course is a discrete body of knowledge that is assessed and evaluated. A course is represented in our LMS (Learning Management System - Canvas) as an individual collection of content and assignments, with a separate registration.

    An individual course may also represent a completed program of study with a certification. Alternatively, a course may be part of a much bigger program of study.

    • Certificate: A certificate is an aknowledgement of completion of a body of knowledge. These may be of varying lengths. For example, the ATL FD andf MERS offers:
      • "100-level" courses that result in a certificate of completion of a 3-hour introductory level activity.
      • "300-level" courses that result in a certificate of completion of 30 hours of actvity plus two peer observations.
      • "Graduate Certificate" which requires the completion of six courses, which will take at least a year of involvement.

  • Objective: Each course is described by the objectives for the course. The objectives are what we hope the student or participant will be able to do at the end of the course. Outcomes, by comparison, are what the student actually can do at the end of the course. We measure the success of the course by how well the objectives match the outcomes.

  • Module: Each course is divided into modules, or themes, that align closely to the individual objectives of the course. In each course you will see a 'map' of the course that highlights exactly how the assignments align with, and thus evaluate your competence in each of the objectives.

    Each module is divided into the following sections:

    • Introduction: Outlines the adminstrative needs for the theme including readings. The introduction also introduces the topic with a general preview of the objectives in that theme.

    • Explore: These pages 'explore' the content of the theme and attempt to weave a narrative of the course author's expertise and understanding of the topic. Each theme may have several Explorepages.

    • Activity: An activity is an ungraded interaction between participants or between the participant and the content. A module may or may not have an activity.

    • Self-Assessment: A quiz in which you as the participant can test your knowledge to determine of you have understood the main ideas of the module. A module may or may not have self-assessments.

    • Reflection: This is a chance for you to gather your thoughts on the objectives of the theme. These will be saved and sent to you for reflection and review at a later date. You may be asked questions on your reflections. They also offer a chance for you to measure your own development.

    • Assignment: Graded interactions between participants or between a participant and the content. An assignment may be in the form of a discussion forum. They may also be a submitted activity including an essay, presentation or other form of demonstration of competency.

      All assignments in any form must be submitted through the LMS in order to ensure privacy and rigor.

      Please see the technology help section for support on various tools you may be asked to use.

RUSM ATL Faculty Development

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