Maria Marti Castaner

Abstract

Co-creation of a new elective course in Public Mental health

This project aims to generate knowledge about the process, benefits, and pitfalls of engaging with a group of students in a short process of co-creation of a new 10 ECT elective course entitled ‘Global perspectives in Public Mental Health’, which will be offered to Master students in Public Health and Global Health. The aim of this short cycle of co-creation was to identify both students’ gaps in knowledge and competences, and interests regarding public mental health and teaching approaches and assignments that are effective for students’ learning, and incorporate them in the development of the new course. The process was structured in two phases. First I identified gaps in the Master in Public Health education and develop a preliminary course description. Then, I engaged with 8 students from the study board in two iterative focus groups. In the first focus group, 5 students and I discuss learning outcomes expectations and needs, and preferred teaching approaches and assessments. I reviewed the course ILOs, course description, and course syllabus and reviewed them with 6 students in a second focus group. The project demonstrated that engaging in course co-creation is feasible and has the potential to benefit both students and teachers. A co-creation process can foster alignment of intended learning outcomes of the new course with students’ prior knowledge about the topic and foster students’ motivation to participate in the course.