BORING....DULL...TEDIOUS...NOT ANYMORE!

Jennifer Bullock – POG

Sarah Annand- POG

Dr Lynn Moran- Lecturer/Module coordinator

Bridget Porritt- University Teacher MIRT

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Overview of Presentation

Background

Workshops

Results

Future

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What is Radiotherapy?

Application of ionising radiation (x-ray photons) to treat malignant disease

Cure or palliate.

With minimal effect on normal tissue

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What is Radiotherapy?

Technological advances

Highly specialised

Complex planning process

Maximise dose to tumour tissue and

minimise dose to normal tissue

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Anatomical sciences Physical Sciences,

Behavioural Sciences

BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy

Professional StudiesResearch, Communications Clinical Skills.

ONCOLOGY ANDRADIOTHERAPY

Inter-professional learning opportunities

Extensive and diverse trainingIntegrated approach enabling students to relate academic work to clinical experience

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What’s the problem?

GCSE Grade B Maths

260 UCAS points ( B, C, C) Biology, and/or Physics and Maths

High attrition rates across AHP courses

Struggle with Radiation Science and Radiotherapy

Technology Year 1

Potentially lose good students

Confidence/Enthusiasm

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The Story so far.... Questionnaires at the beginning of Sem 2 Yr 1

Strongly Neither Strongly

Disagree Agree

State previous physics qualifications Q1. ‘I feel confident when asked a physics based question’. 50% Disagree ( all GCSE physics only) Most confident = A Level Physics students Pleasingly the majority understood why it was part of the programme. Majority felt they could learn better by carrying out a practical task-

there were no physics practicals!

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Hand over to the POGs

Last T&L conference we saw something different and perhaps a chance to change ....

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Overview

09/2010 Physics

Olympics 14/02/2011Workshop 2

(EM Spectrum)

24/02/2011Workshop 3

(Rutherford Scattering)

31/01/2011Workshop

1(Atomic Structure)

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Flags Code Event

Fire the Rocket

Introductory Lab Session

Body Parts Event

Angles Refresher

Physics OlympicsInduction Event in September 2010

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Workshop1:Atomic Structure

Met Students at Metropolitan Cathedral

• Students assigned groups

• Brief Description of Scale/Atomic Structure

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Workshop 2:EM Spectrum

Introductory Talk

Diffraction Demos

Chocolate Microwave Problem Sheets &

Solutions

Swap Over

Self Evaluation

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Workshop3:Rutherford Scattering

Lab Session

• Rutherford Scattering Activity

• Rutherford Scattering Experiment

Activities Session

• Cross Section Talk

• PDT Talk

• Attenuation Gauntlet

• Physics Problems

• Feedback Questionnaire

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Student's Enjoyment of Physics Olympics

Yes

A Little

No

Results

“No, it was more fun and less challenging than I thought it’d be.”

“No, the activities were enjoyable but didn’t really relate to Radiotherapy.”

“Yes, gave a good introduction to Physics.”

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25 Ranked Favourite Activites in Workshops

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Did the Students Find the Sessions Helpful?

Yes

A Little

No

Results

WS1

WS2

WS3

Phys Olymp

Activities/Demos

Lab Sessions

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Results

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Workshop Materials Relevant to Course?

Yes

A Little

No

“More about the structure of the atom, back scattering.”

“They were well explained but didn’t really seem related to our course.”

“I understand the basic physics more but I don't see the relevance to the course.” “These sessions have helped me

to build my knowledge so far on the course.”

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Results

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Would You Participate Again?

Positive

Possibly

Negative

“If I did I think it would be more helpful if it were more relevant to the work done this semester.”

“If there were more about physics related to radiotherapy.”

“Yes, more aspects of physics we will all deal with in radiotherapy everyday.”

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Student Opinion of Physics Before and After Workshops

Positive

Learned A Little

Negative

Results

Before Workshops

After Workshops

Total Positive After

“Absolutely love it.”

“I feel I understand it more.”

“I still hate physics.”

“Still a tough subject but isn’t as rigid as I first thought.”

“Quite Boring and Difficult.”

“Hate Physics!”

“Numbers and Equations”

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Questionnaire findings

Students found it difficult to relate physics to Radiotherapy.

96% of students felt more positive about physics afterwards

90% of students felt the workshops were relevant

60% of students enjoyed the workshops

Minority felt the workshops were not helpful (14% activities and 7% labs)

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The Future ....

Workshops time-tabled for semester 1

Re-run 2011 Radiotherapy/Diagnostic

students Incorporate module syllabus into

workshops Problem sessions based on

tutorial/past-papers Collaboration with Maths

department