Janet Barry

Blended learning and Health Science academic staff at Nelson Mandela University 

Advanced Wound Care  

 

My research journey began in 2012 when I left the corporate sector and joined Nelson Mandela University Pharmacy department as a lecturer.  I was encouraged to enrol for part-time studies by my line manager, and after a few years lecturing and being involved in curriculum development, found a topic that interested me – Blended Learning.  Blended learning in teaching and learning is well researched, but I realised that there was a gap in the knowledge about what perceptions academic staff have of blended learning.  In 2021 I completed my master’s in pharmacy titled “PERCEPTIONS OF BLENDED LEARNING BY ACADEMIC STAFF IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES FACULTY AT NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY”.   

 

In 2021 I supervised and developed a BPharm4 Elective alongside Prof Truter on the topic of Advanced Wound Care.  This topic is close to my heart, having spent many years in corporate sales working for a company who sold advanced wound care products.  

 

Short summary of my MPharm study: 

 

PERCEPTIONS OF BLENDED LEARNING BY ACADEMIC STAFF IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES FACULTY AT NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY

 

Numerous studies have investigated the use of blended learning by academic staff at tertiary institutions.  The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of blended learning by academic staff at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University.  A related objective was to identify barriers and facilitators to the adoption of blended learning by academic staff.  A sequential, exploratory mixed-methods design was adopted for this study whereby Phase 1 (focus groups) was used to inform Phase 2 (questionnaire) of the study.  Results were analysed from both phases and organised according to strategies, support, and structure of a blended learning adoption framework.  Existing support structures to assist with blended learning adoption, understanding of what blended learning is, confidence in using blended learning tools, and time to attend training were some of the findings of the study.  The researcher concluded that academic staff in the Health Sciences Faculty at Nelson Mandela University are positioned in the second stage of the blended learning adoption framework, namely the early adoption stage of blended learning.  These findings imply that existing strategies and support within the Faculty and the University need to be further developed, and structures put into place to move to an advanced stage of adoption of blended learning by academic staff in Health Sciences Faculty of Nelson Mandela University. 

 

Qualifications

 

M.Pharm (NMU)