Learning Specialist

Learning Specialist

Learning Specialist Team

Andrew Clifford, PhD

Ms. Judith Olson-Hammer

Ms. Jennifer Furlong

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Mission

Learning Specialists facilitate mastery and develop toolkits for life-long learning in future physicians.

Consistent with LCME standards, Learning Specialists have no role in assessing students. Learning Specialists work as success and advising coaches for medical students.

Goals

To resource and enable medical students equitably regardless of background or prior educational experience
To use evidence-based practices for facilitating learning and mastery of a novel curriculum
To develop skills for test focus, study skills, and time management in medical students

Learning Specialists work with students in the University Program in three distinct ways. First, Learning Specialists proactively target academic support through student inventories, NBME Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) tests, and Summative Synthesis Essay Questions (SSEQ) at the end of each Block. These supports assist students through practicing NBME-style MCQs, developing effective study skills, and constructing useful time-management and study schedules. Next, Learning Specialists develop and lead Meta Seminars to instruct and coach students for mastering the WR2 Curriculum. Finally, Learning Specialists work with students who earn scores that do not meet Satisfactory ratings on end-Block exams to reflect on their performance and to assemble a Professional Learning Plan.

Learning Specialists organize Near-Peer Tutoring for all M1 and M2 medical students in the University Program. Near-Peer Tutors, who have completed the pre-clerkship curriculum or who have enrolled in the Med-Ed pathway, offer a variety of supplemental instruction while developing skills as medical educators and reinforcing content knowledge. Tutors lead MCQ practice sessions to help prepare students to take USMLE-style exams. Near-Peer Tutors also host weekly and end-of-Block review sessions, using the lecture lesson objectives. Additionally, students can sign up for one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions focused on lecture content, IQ content, structure, GARLA, and study skills.

Learning Specialists meet with students by appointment throughout the fall and spring semesters. Students may self-schedule appointments at the School of Medicine or email them directly: som-learningspecialist@case.edu.

Learn more about how to schedule a meeting with a Learning Specialist using the Penji platform.

Mission

Goals

Learning Events

Time Management & Learning Resources + Articles

Block 1-Pagers