Preamble

This section includes suggested learning strategies, case studies, approaches to assessment, and resources that can be used to enhance student learning for each HCA course. A comprehensive list of recommended HCA program textbooks has been compiled and included in this section as well.

For each course in the HCA Curriculum Guide (2015), this section includes:

1. Suggested Learning Strategies
   • Examples of teaching/learning strategies are included to show how the course content might be used to further students’ abilities to:
     • Apply concepts of caring (with a strong focus on person-centred care).
     • Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions using knowledge, skills, and values inherent in the course content.
     • Maintain a professional approach to practice by assuring safety of self and others, functioning within the parameters of one’s role and functioning interdependently with others.
   • An unfolding case study called “Caring for Peter Schultz” has been integrated throughout program courses to emphasize concepts related to caring. Content for this case study has been adapted from the true story of a client who lived in B.C., as shared through the life writings of his wife in a personal anthology published for family and close friends. This material has been adapted with permission and all names have been changed. To build on their knowledge and to support completion of related learning activities, it is recommended that students develop a client portfolio that can be used throughout the program. To highlight this integrated, unfolding case study, it has been noted in bold red font where presented in each course.
2. Suggested Approaches to Assessment
   • Examples of assessment strategies are included that reflect how the learning outcomes might be appropriately assessed.
3. At the end of each course, there is a list of related online resources and ready-to-use online learning tools, which were selected based on input from stakeholders and their relevance to HCA education. While valid at the time of publication, the online links and resources included may be subject to change or the links may have changed. Before using, especially with learners in the classroom setting, educators will need to confirm that links are active and that online resources are appropriate and relevant to their teaching and learning context.