The Training Committee of the Medical Education Unit conducted a Basic Course on Teaching-Learning, through the initiative of College of Medicine Dean Dr. Alfaretta Luisa Tan-Reyes. The primary objective of the certificate program is to introduce basic concepts and skills on teaching-learning. Acquisition of these knowledge and skills will prepare faculty members of the College to effectively perform their duty as medical educators. The objective of the program has been achieved through a series of seminar-workshops held every month starting October 2007.

The Module on the “Principle of Adult Learning,” facilitated by Dr. Norietta C. Balderama, launched the program on October 22, 2007. Dr. Marivic A. Villamor and Dr. Imelda Rivera jointly acted as resource speakers for the second module on “Planning for Instruction and Instructional Design,” held on November 22. The topic of Assessment and Feedback was tackled the following month, on December 17. Dr. Gracieux Fernando shared his expertise on the various strategies to assess student performance both in the basic and clinical sciences. The resource speakers of the first three modules serve various roles in the College of Medicine.

The succeeding two modules were ably handled by two guest speakers from the UP-National Teachers Training Center. Ms. Ma. Elizabeth Grageda presented a comprehensive lecture on Instructional Methods, conducted on January 6, 2008, while Dr. Nemuel Fajutagana delivered an engaging discussion on “Large Group Teaching” last February 6.

A sixth module, on “Teaching-Learning: Curricular Implications,” was conducted in March 2008, with Dr. Roel P. Romero providing insights on the importance of the first five modules on the role of the physician in the academe. This served as a fitting conclusion to the six-month teaching-learning activities that aimed to equip the medical faculty with the skills to become facilitators of learning. Marivic A. Villamor, MD, MHPEd