Development of a Model for Consideration
The Curriculum Design Committee has continued its work despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the faculty were provided with an update on Friday August 14, 2020. Two models were discussed and the committee is now developing a single model based upon the feedback received. Meetings are proceeding once or twice a month and Dr. Michele Keyerleber has joined the committee to develop the clinical reasoning/relevance thread that will run throughout the preclinical curriculum.
Design Phase - Tackling the Structural Elements
The Curriculum Redesign Committee (CRC) began regular meetings in September 2019 by tackling some structural elements of curricula. Three issues have been discussed and voted on by the CRC thus far:
Tracking – Do we want a curriculum with tracks where students choose which species or discipline that they are interested in at an early point in their veterinary education? We reviewed other institutions with specific curriculum tracks and discussed our ultimate desire to have a curriculum with breadth and depth across species and disciplines for all students. The committee decided not to explore tracking any further.
Competency Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Framework – the CRC reviewed the information provided by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and decided to incorporate the framework into the redesigned curriculum.
Foundational and Elective Content – Do we want every student to have the exact same didactic curriculum or can we break out the content we identify as foundational and let the students choose elective courses for the rest? We, again, reviewed other institutions with elective content and discussed that while we want our students to have a broad foundation, they should have the opportunity to explore areas in greater depth. With no opposition, the CRC voted to have a curriculum that includes both foundational and elective content.
Throughout the design phase, we will work on structural elements such as these while also designing a curriculum to meet the outcomes identified at the beginning of the process. The CRC will be asking course directors and Cummings faculty for their input at regular intervals and forums are planned for December.
Design Phase – the Beginning Started at the End
After assembling the Curriculum Redesign Committee (CRC) in Spring 2019, the first meetings consisted of three half-day retreats, facilitated by the Tufts Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT). The goal of these meetings was to develop the outcomes that we want from our new curriculum and this list of outcomes will be used to guide us as we tackle the complex challenges of redesigning the DVM curriculum.
At these three retreats, the CRC asked the questions: What do we need to know and learn? What do our students need to know and learn? Who do we want our students to be and what learning environment do we want for them? What are the trends in veterinary medicine and who is the future veterinary student? The CRC then narrowed down these discussions to begin identifying Cummings outcomes and align them with the AVMA-COE Competencies and the Competency Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Domains of Competency.
The Cummings outcomes identified were:
• Develop and Maintain Foundational Knowledge
• Have Foundational Diagnostic Acumen
• Be Technically Competent
• Have Strong Medical Problem-solving Skills
• Be Able to Communicate with a Variety of Stakeholders including Lay Public
• Have Professional Skills and Understand/Exhibit Professionalism
• Possess Business Skills
• Be Compassionate and Caring
• Have Good Personal Qualities and a Passion for the Profession
• Be Life-Long Learners
• Have Deeper Understanding and Curiosity
In addition to these outcomes, a list of major issues that needed further discussion were identified.
The CRC meets the first Monday of each month from 8:00 to 9:30 AM and the third Wednesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:30 PM.
Development of a Model for Consideration
The Curriculum Design Committee has continued its work despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the faculty were provided with an update on Friday August 14, 2020. Two models were discussed and the committee is now developing a single model based upon the feedback received. Meetings are proceeding once or twice a… Read More
Design Phase – Creating a Framework
As the CRC continues to meet two times per month, a framework for the new curriculum is beginning to take shape. We are still deliberating where things will fall in to place, but here is what we can share: • Our weekly schedule for years 1-3 will likely include lecture… Read More
Design Phase – Tackling the Structural Elements
The Curriculum Redesign Committee (CRC) began regular meetings in September 2019 by tackling some structural elements of curricula. Three issues have been discussed and voted on by the CRC thus far: Tracking – Do we want a curriculum with tracks where students choose which species or discipline that they are… Read More