The role of educator as a facilitator of learning

Title: The role of educator as a facilitator of learning

Abstract:

There has been an increasing interest in exploring ways in which professionals learn beyond the curriculum examining ways of teaching and learning which fosters deep and lifelong learning. Today’s education moves towards the epistemological approach or ways of knowing, which focuses on helping learners how to learn.   The role of educator as a leader and facilitator of learning and mentor in adult education will be discussed.  This requires academic leaders to adapt certain teaching styles that motivate, inspire and influence adult learners.  This is important with today’s emphasis on providing teaching and learning experience that is student centred. The outcome of learning is transformational, facilitating personal, professional and academic growth.  Furthermore, effective teaching goes hand in hand with well-developed teaching and learning strategies which is evidence-based, reflecting deep, meaningful, and lifelong learning, promoting the acquisition of the three domains of learning: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.  This paper will explore the relationship between teaching and research, teacher’s role as leader in fostering creativity, innovation, critical thinking, reflective practice and experiential learning, as well as mentoring among other staff and students. In addition, the paper will discuss the role of educator in mentoring and teaching the science and art of teaching.  Recommendations for best practice will conclude the paper.

Biography:

Gihane has more than 20 years experience in mental health nursing and education. She worked as a Transcultural Mental Health Clinical Nurse Consultant, she coordinated a number of projects addressing consumers’ care and satisfaction. She won 2 nursing achievement awards due to her contribution to mental health nursing. Her PhD was on the ‘lived experience of caring for a relative with mental illness’. At her current role as lecturer at Western Sydney University, Australia she coordinated a number of under-graduate and post-graduate units and is involved in the development and review of curriculum. Her role also includes supervision of higher degree research students and her research interests are in the area of mental health, transcultural nursing, evidence-based practice and nursing education which are reflected in her publications.