NOUN courses and duration are an integral part of the didactic training for medical professionals.
From medical school to residency, fellowship, and faculty years, medical professionals are expected to do presentations for their fellow students, residents, fellows, and faculty. These presentations may range from an informal presentation during patient rounds to a journal club to a full-fledged noon conference or grand rounds presentation.
Read: NOUN Courses For Undergraduate & Postgraduate
Noon conferences are a structured learning environment that ensures residents receive the necessary training to become competent medical professionals.
The Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency, for example, has a daily schedule of learning activities that includes interactive sessions, small group learning, and case presentations.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires residency programs to provide regularly scheduled didactic sessions.
The traditional noon conference curriculum includes one-hour didactic learning blocks in the morning and/or at noon.
However, an academic half-day (AHD) is an alternative to the noon conference curriculum and involves a weekly, 3- to 4-hour teaching period that can replace the daily 1-hour sessions.
An academic half-day curriculum was associated with an increase in in-training examination performance in internal medicine residents and required fewer sessions than the traditional noon conference curriculum.
To increase resident interaction and knowledge achievement during noon conferences, a prospective, controlled study was conducted using an active teaching format versus a standard lecture format.
The study found that active learning can engage students in the learning process and equip residents for personal responsibility.
NOUN courses and duration are essential components of the didactic training for medical professionals.
Noon conferences and academic half-day curricula provide structured learning environments that ensure residents receive the necessary training to become competent medical professionals. Active learning can engage students in the learning process and equip residents for personal responsibility.
How Do NOUN Courses Impact Student Learning and Engagement
NOUN courses impact student learning and engagement in several ways:
1. Promoting student voice: Student voice is crucial for promoting engagement and addressing equity in the classroom. By encouraging students to share their thoughts, opinions, and perspectives, they become invested in their learning experiences and feel valued for their contributions.
2. Enhancing interactivity: Interactivity is a hallmark of NOUN distance learning programs, which can lead to increased student success. Students who experience a clog in their interaction schedule may feel threatened and isolated, while easy technological accessibility can frustrate students if there is extensive interactivity but not enough opportunities for social or intellectual engagement.
3. Active learning: The ACTIVE teaching format, which involves active learning, has been shown to engage students in the learning process and improve knowledge achievement during noon conferences. This format encourages residents to ask questions and participate in discussions, leading to better understanding and retention of knowledge.
4. Addressing diverse learning needs: E-learning materials, such as those used in NOUN distance education programs, can help address the needs of different learners and varying contexts or situations for learning. However, it is essential to ensure that these materials are compelling and engaging for students.
5. Boosting engagement: Student voice programs can help address factors that cause a lack of student engagement, such as personal family issues or disinterest in the subject matter. By giving students a voice and an opportunity to share their ideas, they naturally become more invested in their learning experiences.
NOUN courses impact student learning and engagement by promoting student voice, enhancing interactivity, encouraging active learning, addressing diverse learning needs, and boosting engagement. These factors contribute to a more effective and meaningful learning experience for students.
List Courses and their Duration of Study
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) offers a variety of courses with different durations of study. The academic programs provided by NOUN are designed to accommodate the diverse educational needs of students. The courses and their durations are as follows:
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor’s Degree Programs: The duration of undergraduate programs ranges from 4 to 6 years, depending on the course of study. Some of the popular bachelor’s degree programs offered by NOUN include:
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Nursing Science
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Primary Education
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science
Postgraduate Programs:
Master’s Degree Programs: The duration of master’s degree programs is typically 2 years. NOUN offers various master’s degree programs, including:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Public Health
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): The duration of the Ph.D. programs at NOUN varies, but it generally takes a minimum of 3 years to complete.
