助産師教員の教育能力に関する研究

Abstract

The purpose of the present survey was to evaluate the teaching ability of instructors working in midwives' schools. A questionnaire survey on teaching ability (five types of ability: designing academic subjects, developing curriculums, developing educational methods, supporting students, and educational evaluation - 23 items) was conducted, involving 238 teachers in midwifery working for vocational schools and college-related educational institutions, and the results were analyzed according to the educational institute, position, and period of experience. 1. Regarding instructors in midwifery working for vocational schools and college-related institutions, teaching ability scores obtained by teaching staff in high positions and with many years of experience were high, which suggested improvements in their teaching skills. There was no marked difference in the teaching ability between the two groups. 2. Scores for most items received by assistants and associate professors working in college-related educational institutions were lower than the standards. They are required to undergo structured training after being recruited. 3. The ability to support students was high in teachers working for both vocational schools and college-related institutions, and even those with one or two years of experience. This is regarded as an essential ability that all teachers are required to have. 4. Regarding abilities for developing educational methods, designing academic subjects, developing curriculums, and educational evaluation, teachers with more than six to ten years of experience received scores higher than the standards. This suggested that it takes ten years or longer for teachers to develop a standard level of general teaching ability. 5. There was a significant correlation (r=0.482) between their teaching experience (expressed as the number of years) and total teaching ability scores, whereas their clinical experience was not related to the total scores. Conclusion It is important to establish an "educational ladder" (to develop practical teaching skills) and training (for newly recruited midwifery teachers) systems, as measures to help teachers develop the required teaching abilities in a structured manner, in order to maintain and improve the quality of midwifery education.