Educational Fads: They Have Sticky Appeal but Let's Not Be Dogmatic

The PharmacyFika crew critically examines educational trends, how fads develop, and why they fade.  In this episode, you'll discover: 1) Tina loves boiled peanuts but is circumspect about the nutritional value of fish sticks, 2) Jeff, the grittiest guy we know, is ironically skeptical about measuring and teaching grit, 3) Stuart thinks learning styles aren't something that should influence teaching approaches, and 4) Kristin finds general ability outcomes appealing but challenging to implement when the rubber meets the road. 

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Resources

Sun X, Norton O, Mamcekivell SE.  Beware the myth: learning styles affect parents', childrens', and teachers' thinking about children's academic potential.  NPJ Science of Learning 2023; 8: Article 46.

Credé M, Tynan, MC, & Harms PD. Much ado about grit: A meta-analytic synthesis of the grit literature. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2017; 113(3), 492–511.

Green TL, Hagiwara N. The Problem with Implicit Bias Training. Scientific American. August 28, 2020.

Lu A. Does diversity training work? Chronicle of Higher Education. Sept 9, 2024.

Lim A, Krishnan S, Singh H, et al.  Linking assessment to real-life practice - comparing work-based assessments and objective structured clinical examinations using mystery shopping.  Adv health Sci Educ Theory Pract 2024; 29(3): 859-878.

Cain J, Behal M, Richter LM. An Integrative Scoping Review of Behavioral Economics Applications in Higher Education: Opportunities for Academic Pharmacy. Am J Pharm Educ. 2024; 88(8):100732.

Woodbury R.  Fads in Education: No magic bullets. Blog Essay. April 4, 2022.

Elder L, Paul R.  A Critical Thinker's Guide to Educational Fads: How to Get Beyond Educational Glitz and Glitter.  New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.

Blount R Jr.  Boiled Peanut Power.  Pull over and grab a bag.  They're good for you.  Garden & Gun, April/May 2014.  [Note from Tina B: The first paragraph is a must read for ALL; the rest is for the boiled peanut lovers like me]

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The Pharmacy Fika podcast is a positive and compassionate “place” (a virtual community) where pharmacy and other health professions educators gather to discuss teaching, learning, scholarship, and academic life… plus the snacks that support their best work. So grab your favorite beverage and listen to the Pharmacy Fika podcast with your colleagues.

The Co-Hosts are:

• Stuart T. Haines (Executive Producer), University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy – sthaines@olemiss.edu               
• Tina Brock, University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences - tina.brock@unimelb.edu.au
• Jeff Cain, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy - jeff.cain@uky.edu 
• Kristin Janke, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy - janke006@umn.edu

Disclaimer (inspired by Whad’Ya Know?): All opinions expressed on the Pharmacy Fika podcast are well-reasoned and insightful. Needless to say, they are ours and our guests alone, and not those of our employing institutions.

Even though we don’t accept advertising and don’t have any sponsors, we seem to mention Trader Joe’s snacks and various water-based drinks a LOT.

Not sure what fika is all about?  Watch this brief video:  How a Swedish coffee break can boost your wellbeing and performance.

Got a great idea for a discussion topic?  Drop us a line (pharmacyfika@gmail.com) or leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/PharmacyFika