Using experiential learning and authentic assessments to support students to become competent health promotion practitioners

TITLE: Using experiential learning and authentic assessments to support students to become competent health promotion practitioners. ISSUE ADDRESSED: The aim of this article is to describe how experiential learning, authentic assessments, community development and ethical principles were consolidated in the design and delivery of a health promotion planning and evaluation subject (HPE) during 2019 to 2021. Experiential learning and authentic assessments were used to guide the development of health promotion competencies in line with the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) Core Competencies and Professional Standards for Health Promotion. Students were required to complete three sequential authentic assessments. Ethics approval was granted for students to undertake a needs/assets assessment with a local community group following which, students completed a literature review and planned a community development program. METHODS: The subject comprises 10 h of weekly engagement over a 12‐week semester with weekly topics following a program logic model. Working in teams and individually, students work with a local community group to assess their needs/assets and establish priority areas regarding health and wellbeing. This then informed the development of a health promotion program and evaluation plan. Students undertook three sequential authentic assessment tasks: (i) needs/assets report, (ii) a literature review and (iii) a program folio. Retrospective anonymous student feedback on subject (SFS) data from 2019 to 2021 was used to evaluate HPE. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: HPE provides students with the opportunity to understand ethical principles and processes, engage with stakeholders in the community and develop qualitative research skills, to plan and evaluate health promotion programs. SFS scores have improved with an overall score of 3.7 (response rate 49.44%) in 2019 to 4.3 (response rate 39.58%) in 2020 and 4.04 (response rate 28.57%) in 2021. CONCLUSION: Students acquire a broad range of knowledge and skills in line with IUHPE Core Competency and Professional Standards for Health Promotion preparing them for their future professional practice. SO WHAT? These teaching and learning experiences show that students can develop health promotion competencies through sound pedagogical approaches, both online and face‐to‐face and in challenging environments.