Abstract:

Background:
Online learning, Students as Partners (SaP) and interprofessional education (IPE) are important elements of the latest pedagogies in tertiary educational institutions. Therefore, we have implemented a new pilot platform, T-PASS, focusing on addressing elderly needs in the summer term of 2021 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate the impact of this new educational platform on online learning, SaP and IPE for undergraduates.

Method:
We opened invitations to all undergraduates at CUHK to join T-PASS. Students were provided with online learning materials, talks and consultations. After studying the online teaching materials and attending talks and consultations, they were required to submit a proposal tackling elderly problems through collaborations of students from different disciplines and write a reflection.

Details of T-PASS’s model:
1. Online learning
We used a learning management system, Blackboard (BB), to provide learning materials and organise talks for students. We also provided a zoom platform for students to consult academic staff regarding their proposals. In addition, students worked with other students online using either BB, zoom or email exchange.

2. Students as Partners
Some of the online learning materials were co-created between academic staff and students. The proposal ideas were originated by students with the support of academic staff. Academic staff from different disciplines reviewed and commented on the proposals. Zoom consultations were provided for students. Academic staff also discussed with students to provide materials and issues relevant to their proposals.

3. Interprofessional Education
Students were required to communicate with students of various disciplines for proposal making. In addition, academic staff from different disciplines worked together to provide support advice on project proposals and teaching materials.

Results of students’ reflections:
We have received 31 students’ reflections in total.

1. Online Learning
From students’ reflections, they praised the learning materials in BB as systematic. They also found the talk on health policy inspiring to understand elderly issues.

2. Students as Partners
Students as Partners were observed in the learning materials and consultations for proposal making. Students reflected that they find the materials useful for their proposal design; whereas they barely mentioned consultation. In fact, among the 11 groups, only 1 group has consulted. This may be due to the students' timidness to ask for academic staff’s help, which they deemed as superior. In addition, the SaP concept is quite new in Hong Kong.

3. Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional education was deemed successful in T-PASS. In their reflections, they were able to exchange ideas based on their disciplines, and they all agreed this exchange of perspectives is fostering more integrated and innovative results. Unanimously, they complimented the versatile group arrangement and believed IPE is crucial for them in the future.

Conclusion:
In this pilot project, online learning and IPE were welcomed by students with positive feedback while SaP was less effective among students. It is noteworthy that SaP in T-PASS was influenced by the learning culture in Hong Kong. The T-PASS platform consisting of online learning, SaP and IPE was feasible among undergraduates. Further evaluation is needed to assess the impact of this new pedagogy.

Keywords:

Students as Partners, Online learning, Interprofessional Education, elderly, educational platform, undergraduate.