Faculty Perspective on the Challenges Faced During Implementation of Integrated Curriculum

Background: Curriculum is a dynamic thing that has evolved over the years to ensure the competency of health care professionals. Due to guidelines issued by international accrediting agencies, University College of Medicine & Dentistry implemented an integrated modular curriculum in 2015 that is coordinated and coherent.  Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the difficulties that the faculty faced while implementing an integrated curriculum for the undergraduate dental program (BDS) at the University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore.   Methods: This descriptive exploratory study was conducted from September 2020 till January 2021 at University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore. Thirty-five faculty members were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed thematically after being transcribed. Results: Six themes emerged from the analysis of interviews. These themes were: working environment, distribution of workload, communication, faculty development and retention, evaluation and leadership. Conclusions: Integrated curriculum may be the need of the hour; however, its implementation comes with a set of challenges, which include a non-conducive working environment, uneven distribution of workload, absence of a sound faculty development and retention program, or absence of adequate resources. These factors may hinder the implementation of the integrated curriculum.

Use of Animated Videos to Enhance Grade V Students Conceptual Understanding of an Abstract Topic of Science

Teaching of science has become more impressionable with the integration of technology. A small-scale action research study was organized in one of the Government High schools of Gilgit Baltistan to explore the use of animated videos for teaching an abstract concept of ‘states of matter’. The study was conducted in a science classroom of Grade V. The research found how animated video worked in Grade V science teaching to enhance students’ conceptual understanding of states of matter. This action study was conducted over a period of five weeks comprising of three cycles. In the reconnaissance stage, three lessons of science teacher were observed, a pre-test, a focused group discussion with six purposively selected students and an interview of the science teacher was carried out. In cycle 1, 2 and 3, six lessons were planned and taught. Data was collected through observations, focused group discussions, interviews and pre and post-tests. The finding of the study showed that students gradually got familiar with animated videos, started sharing their ideas in a group, and resultantly these animated videos proved meaningful in supporting their understanding of states of matter. The findings also showed that students took an initial step towards conceptual understanding- a slight bent from teacher-centered to student-centered learning. The study also pointed out at both teacher’s and students’ misconceptions about states of matter. However, this study has implications for the school in terms of students’ better learning and effective teaching. Therefore, schools need to relook its method of teaching from rote memorizing to conceptual understanding, and teachers need to change their lectured based teaching to activity/animated video-based teaching.