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Educator Development Programs

The Woodward Center for Excellence in Health Sciences Education offers a variety of programs designed to promote educator development.

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Woodward Center Programs for Faculty

Events and Workshops Expand answer

A variety of workshops on educator development are offered through the Woodward Center.

Upcoming events are listed here. Click on any event for details or to add it to your Outlook calendar.

Upcoming Events

Previous Events and Programs Expand answer
EdVenture Expand answer

EdVenture is the College of Medicine’s annual celebration of teaching and learning. Traditionally held in the spring, this event recognizes the efforts and achievements of educators across the organization. The Woodward Lecture and Workshop are central to EdVenture, and past presenters are listed here.

Learn more about EdVenture

Funding Opportunities Expand answer

When available, Woodward Center funding opportunities are listed here.

Woodward Colloquium Series Expand answer

Join accomplished presenters to explore new developments in health sciences education. All sessions are held noon to 1 p.m. Fridays.

Woodward Center Programs for Students and Residents/Fellows

The Woodward Center offers a variety of training options for students and residents and fellows as well.

Graduate Students as Educators (GSaE) Expand answer

Goals:

The goals of the GSaE program are two-fold:

  • to provide basic evidence-based teaching skills to all Penn State College of Medicine graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to prepare them for working with learners
  • to provide instruction for any graduate students and postdocs who are interested in teaching as a career goal

The program will consist of two mandatory sessions (three for PBL facilitators) as well as one of two additional workshops. All sessions are offered in the evenings and the same mandatory sessions are offered on multiple days to facilitate scheduling.

Principles:
By participating in the GSaE program, students will be able to:

  • Connect learning and teaching experiences with key educational principles in order to inform his/her choice of teaching methods.
  • Apply educational theory and research-based learning and teaching practices in a variety of educational settings.
  • Articulate how feedback from faculty and students will be used to improve learning and teaching practices.

The content for the GSaE sessions will include but not be limited to the following topics:

  • Principles of Adult Learning
  • Effective Planning Processes
  • Designing a Lecture and Selecting Resources for Learners
  • Engaging Learners in Small and Large Groups

Procedures:

  • All graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are expected to attend the following workshops offered by the Woodward Center for Excellence in Health Sciences Education:
    • Becoming a Successful Educator
    • Science of Learning and Adult Learning Theory
    • orientation to PBL facilitating (for those interested in teaching in the PBL curriculum)
  • Two additional workshops (Just in Time Teaching and Designing Effective PowerPoint Presentations) will be offered twice per year (Spring and Fall – open to all students and postdocs). GSaE participants must also attend these workshops.
  • GSaE participation will be recorded and tracked by the Woodward Center.
  • Participants who complete the GSaE program will be given a certificate acknowledging their participation.
  • All graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in other advanced teaching skills sessions provided by the Woodward Center or other entities (e.g., Schreyer Honors College (UP), World Campus, Penn State University – Harrisburg, etc.).

Additional workshops will be announced throughout the year.

Contact: Lisa Shantz, lshantz@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Medical Students as Educators (fourth-year elective) Expand answer

This is a 2.5-credit elective for fourth-year medical students serves as a foundation for learning the principles of practical clinical, classroom and small-group teaching techniques.

This course provides training in educational methods and an introduction to theory to help medical students become effective educators. Students apply what they have learned about research-based teaching practices as they work with first, second and/or third-year medical students.

Learn more about Medical Students as Educators

Residents and Fellows as Educators Expand answer

A variety of opportunities are available for residents through the Residents as Educators program, a joint offering of the Woodward Center for Excellence in Health Sciences Education and the Office of Graduate Medical Education.

Learn more about Residents as Educators

Clinical Educator Residency Track Expand answer

The Clinical Educator Track supports residents pursuing careers as future clinician educators through teaching skills, curriculum design and professional development.

By the end of the track, residents will be able to:

  • Develop and evaluate curricula
  • Role-model advance teaching techniques
  • Reflect on professional identity as educators

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for residents in PGY-1 or above.

Email Dr. Rachel Casas for details