AS a nurse educator, I find developing course syllabi particularly enjoyable. My primary goal is to enhance learner’s knowledge and skills, and so at times, I have always made sure that I teach all, including the must-need-to-know and the nice-to-only-know.
Over the previous four years, I can affirm that I gained knowledge about Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) at Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU). However, I must admit that transitioning to OBE was challenging due to my prior familiarity with traditional teaching methods, which typically prioritize content delivery over learning outcomes.
So, when Dean Liza G. Floresca of AdDU-School of Nursing (SON) assigned me to participate in the Outcomes-Based Education Training for Nurse Educators from September 21-23, 2023, at AdDU Community Center 8th floor, I did not have a second thought. I was eager to attend because I was fully committed to sharing any new learnings I would gain regarding creating an OBE instructional design for nursing. Also, Dean Floresca emphasized the importance of disseminating this information to the School of Nursing faculty as soon as possible.
The seminar-workshop about OBE was organized by the Philippine Nursing Education Academy (PNEA) of the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN).
OBE is a mandated educational approach by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), serving as a quality assurance system aimed at improving the educational system in the Philippines.
Specifically, in the context of nursing programs, CMO 15, 2017, advocated for adopting OBE in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This regulation requires that all nurse educators and administrators possess the competencies to implement the OBE-based curriculum effectively.
In the seminar, ten groups were formed from various colleges and universities. On our first day, we felt a sense of unfamiliarity and a certain distance between us. However, as the days passed, we gradually built strong professional relationships.
During our interactions, we shared ideas and even had moments of laughter. We had exchanged phone numbers and addresses by the last day, hoping to meet again.
I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of our group. I will always remember each of them:
Alih-Marl’s quick thinking, Aureen Oria’s eloquence, Carmela Ortega’s helpfulness, Marinie Baldono’s friendliness, Maridil Fernandez’s ever-present smile, Sherwin Maputol’s humility, and Boford Borres’ swift actions. It was indeed one of the best groups to be a part of.
During the supervised workshop, it is safe to say that all of us participants gained valuable insights into effectively integrating OBE principles into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum. We now know how to craft curriculum and competency maps tailored to professional nursing courses, ensuring a seamless alignment between program outcomes, course outcomes and course learning outcomes.
Furthermore, we were equipped to identify the most effective teaching and learning strategies for these courses within the new BSN OBE curriculum while adhering to OBE principles throughout the teaching and learning process.
The training experience was exceptional, packed with content yet incredibly engaging and intellectually stimulating! Expanding upon the earlier-discussed topics, our learning included teaching strategies for classroom and RLE settings, scaffolding, self-directed learning, authentic assessment, crafting a table of specifications, managing learner portfolios, implementing the OBE grading system in nursing, and utilizing OBE assessment tools.
During the afternoon of the third day, we engaged in plenary sessions and peer critiques, which played a fundamental role in improving our collective learning journey. The presenters included Dean Mary Grace Lacanaria, Dean Ramona Heidi Palad, Dean Edna Imperial, and Dean Glenda Vargas, who, I must say, are experts in the nursing curriculum and OBE.
To be honest, they did incredibly informative sessions with tremendous enthusiasm and offered us comprehensive guidance throughout the workshop.
Even more significant and unforgettable is that this experience allowed me to learn from experts and make new friends. This is truly a precious gift because I had the privilege of meeting brilliant yet humble nurse educators from a wide range of institutions from Adventist Medical Center College, Andres Bonifacio College, Arriesgado College Foundation Inc, Colegio de Kidapawan, Cor Jesu College, Cotabato Medical Foundation College Inc, Davao Doctors College, Eastern Samar State University, Father Saturnino Urios University, Jose Maria College Foundation, Inc., Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Lourdes College, Inc., Mahardika Institute of Technology Inc., Mati Doctors College, Mindanao Institute of Healthcare Professionals Inc., Mindanao Medical Foundation College, Mindanao State University-College of Health Sciences, Mindanao State University- Sulu, MSU Iligan Institute of Technology, North Valley College Foundation, Notre Dame of Jolo College, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, Notre Dame University, Philippine Engineering and Agro-Industrial College, Inc., Polytechnic College of Davao del Sur, Inc., San Isidro College, San Pedro College, St. Alexius College, St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc, Sulu College of Technology, Inc., Sulu State College, The College of Masin, Universidad Zamboanga, University of Mindanao, University of Perpetual Help System – Isabela, University of St. La Salle, University of the Immaculate Conception, Visayas State University, and Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan.
Indeed, we have a substantial workload ahead of us. Yet, the positive aspect is that we are lucky to have learned further knowledge and skills in Outcome-Based Education (OBE) designed specifically for nursing. And this knowledge has been imparted to us by the humble experts in nursing education. I hope we all remain committed to teaching the must-need-to-know and not much about the nice-to-only-know; self-directed learning can be best for this. Doing OBE right will help the learners achieve the desired level of competencies. This is indeed an OBE!