Photos by Matt Garin.

Upon entering medical school, students must quickly adapt to a multitude of complex academic, interpersonal and professional expectations. To facilitate student success in medical school and as lifelong learners, the Wayne State University School of Medicine requires all incoming students to participate in the Advanced Learning Strategies for Physicians in Training Course, or ALS, in the first two weeks of school.

Assessments included a formative quiz, concept-map and a final capstone creative project. This year’s two-week experience for the Class of 2023 was held July 15-26. The creative projects were displayed July 25 in Scott Hall’s Cafeteria, and included a variety of unique posters, games, illustrations and more.

A yearlong longitudinal program with additional sessions will run until May 2020.

A Digital Badge program, new for 2019, is a form of micro-credentialing that serves as a digital representation of an accomplishment. The initiative is part of a campus-wide push to introduce digital badges to the Wayne State University community.  The ALS course digital badge program at the School of Medicine was led by Office of Learning and Teaching’s Learning Skills Specialist Zsa-Zsa Booker, Ph.D.

Students had opportunities throughout the two-week ALS course to earn badges as leaders in various sections of the course, including clinical skills, problem-based learning, self-regulated learning and the mentoring program. More than 100 freshman medical students were recognized for earning the ALS Digital Badge at a ceremony July 25 in Scott Hall. They may also add the accomplishment to their portfolios and final recommendation letters at the end of their undergraduate medical education career.

Vice Dean for Medical Education Richard Baker came to the School of Medicine in 2015 with a vision that included four major initiatives: creating a culture of data-driven decision making and continuous improvement; strategic investments and more than adequate resources; organizational clarity; and the creation of a learner-centered environment.

The ALS course promotes that vision and provides students with an immersive introduction to the content and fast pace inherent in the delivery of a medical school curriculum, which can be a profound adjustment from undergraduate education.

The ALS course focuses on six themes central to the academic success of physicians in training: 1. evidence-based learning strategies, 2. professionalism, 3. self-regulated learning, 4. wellness, 5. assessment, and 6. collaboration/communication. 

The ALS introduces students to the structure, content and assessment expectations of an integrated pre-clerkship curriculum and engages them in advanced learning strategies to develop collaborative, professional and self-regulated learners.

 “This is the third year that program has been offered. Each year has improved upon the prior year. One of our keys to success and improvement is that we listen to students and capitalize on their experiences to continuously improve the course. This year we are happy to incorporate the Student Lead Resource HUB, consisting of multiple stations with M2 and M3 students sharing the wisdom and resources they have acquired over their time in medical school,” said ALS Course Director Simone Brennan.

More than of a third of the Class of 2023 earned ALS Digital Badges in this inaugural year. They are: