T
he PEN System
Student Learning & Activity Guide [PDF] provides an overview of how the Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition: PEN
® System can be used in your university-level nutrition classroom or during dietetic practicum. It outlines four types of activities and considers the student learning level and support for the Canadian Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) version 3.0 (2020) for Canadian dietetic practice*.
This Guide is intended for Dietetic Educators, including university professors, lecturers, practicum coordinators and preceptors. Each of the four activities includes classroom
resources and examples of PEN System content
application. The activities are to be led by Dietetic Educators, with the opportunity for PEN team support. This Guide differs from dietetic practicum placements, which are accepted based on available PEN projects and PEN team capacity.
Start here! View the PEN System
Student Learning & Activity Guide [PDF] that provides an overview of how you could use the PEN System in your classroom. Then review each or all of the activities [URLs] below. The links provide more detail on each of the individual activities/assignments:
- Include a PEN System presentation
- Use PEN System content in learning/training materials
- Use PEN System content in course assignments and assessments
- Incorporate a PEN System knowledge product assignment
*The Student Learning & Activity Guide and individual assignments are being piloted with Canadian educators with the intention of adapting it to the education and competency frameworks of our global partners in Australia and the UK. Of note, PEN client handouts are only focused on Canadian content, except some Food Sources fact sheets from the UK.
1: Include a PEN System presentation
Educators can request the PEN Team deliver a live presentation in a classroom or learning session. The presentation demonstrates the critical appraisal process that supports evidence-based practice recommendations and the role of PEN as a dynamic knowledge translation tool.
Outcome: Students will
know about the role of evidence in supporting decisions in all areas of dietetics practice.
Contact
educatorsupport@dietitians.ca to learn more about scheduling a presentation.
ResourcesTo learn the value of the PEN System
To learn how to navigate through the PEN System
To learn about the PEN System's evidence-based process
Application
2: Use PEN System content in learning/training materials
Educators can use PEN System content (e.g., Knowledge Pathways, Practice Guidance Toolkits, Client handouts) to support course learning and training materials (e.g,. lecture slides and course readings).
Outcome: Students will know how evidence-based practice informs their learning through the application of knowledge.
Optional consultation with a PEN team member can support the selection of PEN content to support learning/training materials.
Contact Jane Bellman (
jane.bellman@dietitians.ca) to learn more about using PEN System content in learning/training materials, including how the PEN System is mapped to the ICDEP (v3.0).
Resources
Application
3: Use PEN System content in course assignments and assessments
Educators can use PEN System content to apply evidence-based practice recommendations in course assignments (e.g., case studies, patient simulations) and assessments (e.g. tests and quiz questions).
Outcome: Students
show how evidence-based knowledge informs practice recommendations.
Optional consultation with a PEN team member can support the selection of PEN content to support course assignments and assessment development.
Contact Jane Bellman (
jane.bellman@dietitians.ca) to learn more about using PEN System content in course assignments and assessments.
Resources
Application
4: Incorporate a PEN System knowledge product assignment
Educators can apply PEN’s process to develop or update an evidence-based knowledge product for an in-class assignment.
*NB: The intention of this assignment is not to solicit new or updated PEN content for publication.
Outcome: Students translate evidence to create or update a knowledge product using the PEN System process (does). This may include:
4.1 Synthesize evidence to answer a practice-based question
Students learn the PEN System process: assess, ask, acquire, appraise and apply the evidence to support a practice recommendation.
Resources
Application
4.2 Develop or update a PEN System Client Handout
Students support their professional development in the area of health literacy and develop experience in consumer resource/tool development.
Application
*Nouveau!*
Application (En Français)
4.3 Write a Trending Topic
Students review the evidence-based process cycle, develop critical appraisal and professional writing skills and experience in developing a professional resource. Trending topics focus on writing about dietetic practice implications on recent newsworthy issues.
Resources
Application