Definition of Learning Concern :

1. Gallaudet University Cross Learning Community Poster SessionFaculty Learning Community (FLC): Closing the LoopCourse for Project: COU 714-01 Adult PsychopathologyMary C. Hufnell, Psy. D. (Department of Counseling) Definition of Learning Concern: COU 714 Adult Psychopathology, offered in the graduate program in mental health counseling, covers variousadult emotional and behavioral diagnoses as addressed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition TR (DSM-IV-TR). The course uses additional texts in addition to the DSM-IV-TR manual to cover the diagnostic categories (e.g. anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance disorders), including one required text that provides case material with specific descriptions of individuals who have been diagnosed with a particular disorder. One of the challenges with teaching this course is that it is difficult to imagine how the diagnoses truly manifest and what a diagnosis looks like for the person with the disorder. It is also often difficult to differentiate between some diagnoses that have some similar presenting symptoms. The assessment data for the Department of Counseling from the 2009-2010 Annual Learning Assessment Planning (LAP) Update indicated that *diagnostic assessment and case conceptualization were areas of weakness as assessed through site supervisor evaluations at the Internship I (See chart below). Proposed Strategy to Improve Teaching and Learning in the Course: Apre-test will be used to gauge current familiaritywith clinical diagnoses and to determine which categories might need emphasis based on how the students do on the pre-test. I will assess the individuals’ performance on the pre-test but also assess the overall results for the class. To supplement case study materials, somevisual presentation in the form of film or video(from American Counseling Association and American Psychological Association) and/or a movie or film clip will be used to illustrate each of the major identified diagnoses. Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders are the planned diagnostic categories but this is subject to change based on pre-test data. Films may also be used as recommended in Movies and Mental Illness: Using Films to Understand Psychopathology, 2nd Ed (Wedding et al., 2005) or through the CESNET listserv ( information (e.g. A Beautiful Mind (2001) for schizophrenia, The Hours (2002) for depression, etc.). Assessment of Learning as relates to Teaching Strategy: Specific questions on the final examwill be used to assess a specific learning area identified above, that is, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders. To the extent that the pre-test indicates particular shortcomings or deficiencies in other diagnostic categories, these may also be included or substituted. Some questions will require students to describe symptoms of the specific identified categories, differentiate diagnoses in the categories, and demonstrate preliminary case conceptualization skill. I will perform a quantitative analysis of scores and percentage correct for the class and a qualitative analysis, where applicable, to assess complexity and detail of student responses. This will provide some data with regard to the effectiveness of using visual materials to improve student learning in the the Adult Psychopathology course in the Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling program.