We thank AHPA members Talia Blythman, Caroline Adams, Hannah Wechkunanukul and Jane Harford for representing AHPA at the CAPHIA Teaching and Learning Forum in September 2023 and manning the AHPA exhibitor booth. Here are some reflections shared by the team.
It was a privilege to attend the CAPHIA Teaching and Learning forum in September. AHPA was one of two exhibitors at the event held in Adelaide. Between conversations about AHPA with forum delegates, AHPA representatives had the opportunity to attend many fascinating presentations that highlighted the breadth of challenges facing faculty who teach heath promotion and public health in universities. Presentations ranged from work to understand students' use and perception of generative artificial intelligence in preparing assignments to students’ experiences of participating in curriculum codesign and decolonising practices in in teaching. Solutions rooms showcased examples of innovative practices to solve real-world challenges and included using podcasts for authentic assessment as well as examples of effective approaches to improving experiences for students studying online. The novel Challenge Rooms enlisted the experience of attendees to address questions related to embedding systems thinking into teaching, supporting students in the appropriate use of artificial intelligence and empowering students to incorporate lived experiences into placement experience. In the Solutions room, presenters showcased innovations in embedding advocacy across the curriculum and had an opportunity to hear about the use of a ’Moral imagination survey and to consider the question “Can you empathise with a cannibal?”.
The keynote speakers challenged participants to consider two ‘big picture’ issues facing public health and public health teaching. On day one, Dr Laura Magna spoke eloquently about the ongoing professionalisation of the public health workforce, which is of particular significance to health promotion as accreditation of programs and registration of practitioners is rolled out in Australia. On day two, Nathan Rigney from Preventive Health SA spoke about the organisation’s health promotion strategy in the context of the ongoing effects of colonisation.
There were some recurring themes in presentations and discussions. Three in particular stood out. These were (in no particular order): the many challenges and opportunities that changing technology present in learning and teaching – both terrifying and exciting at the same time; the importance of maintaining a focus on the values that underpin public health and health promotion and the challenge of passing them on to students; and the extent to which the challenges and concerns of individual educators are shared and the generosity of the teaching community in sharing their insights and experiences.
For more information on the CAPHIA Teaching and Learning Forum 2024, click here.