Journal of Speech Pathology & Therapy
Open Access

The educational model, teaching model or pedagogical model is understood as the different types of structured plans based on transmitting knowledge to the younger generations, always aiming at obtaining better results, that is, the most complete and comprehensive training of the individual.

Moore, Green, and Gallis include (1) having interactivity during the presentation, (2) utilization of demonstrations or case histories to assist learners in developing an understanding of how to perform clinical tasks, (3) practice in acquiring skills through simulations, and (4) providing on-going feedback to the learners [1].

Students from all around the world can learn new things and broaden their knowledge with the help of a student education app. Almost 90% of individuals around the world have access to mobile networks. Due to Covid 19, students continued to use the apps to learn in an enjoyable way even when they were confined to their homes.

There are many educational apps built for medical students which help them improve their academic performance and become a great physician. The list of various medical Apps such as Nerve Whiz, Osmosis Med, Prognosis, Pharmacology Mnemonics, Med Notes, Complete Anatomy, Medical Terminology Learning Quiz, Board Vitals Medical Exam Prep and Clinical – History & Physical etc. all these apps are very beneficial in learning the concepts as well as for revising the topics.

There are lots of benefits of using educational apps such as new learning techniques, Online resources, Availability 24x7, Interactive learning, Portability, Track progress and Higher student engagement.

There are numerous advantages to employing simulators to teach practical areas such as instrument handling, demonstration, and case management.

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (ASLP)

The ASLP is a health professional course which consists of Bachelors (4 years) and Masters (2 years) programs. ASLPs begin their clinical training in their first year of a bachelor’s degree, where they watch and interact with a variety of clients while being supervised by clinical supervisors. To provide comprehensive exposure to a variety of clinical issues, all clinical posts are offered on a rotating basis.

Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing and hearing impairments. Audiology students are taught about the anatomy and physiology of the normal and disordered auditory systems. They have received training in the recognition and differential diagnosis of auditory problems. These include abnormalities of the middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve, and central auditory nervous system. With training, they gain experience in audiological rehabilitation, such as the recommendation of amplification devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. They also learn how to identify and manage people with tinnitus, vestibular problems, and auditory processing abnormalities.

Speech and Language Pathology is deals with the normal and abnormal aspects of voice, speech, language, and swallowing. Students of Speech Language Pathology are trained in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of speech and language disorders such as voice disorders, speech sound disorders, stuttering, speech and language problems associated with hearing impairment, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, autism spectrum disorders, oral and laryngeal cancers, stroke/ paralysis, and learning disorders.

Scope of Audiology and Speech language Pathology

Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists have numerous prospects in India and abroad. After completing the bachelor’s programme, students may continue their study to acquire a postgraduate degree or begin working. Those with academic and research interests may continue their studies to get a doctorate in the discipline, Ph.D. (Audiology) or Ph.D. (Speech Language Pathology).

Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists can seek employment in academic institutions, medical hospitals/clinics (general hospitals, Ear Nose Throat, Paediatric, or Neurology clinics), special schools for children with hearing impairment, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, learning disability, or others, regular schools, hearing aid/cochlear implant industries, and hearing conservation programmes.

What to Learn

ASLP is a vast subject where it consists of anatomical and physiological aspects of human brain, neck, face, central nervous system, ear and peripheral nervous system etc. all the students must learn various disorders related to speech and hearing. As ASLP is a health professional it deals with various disorders and helps in improving the quality of life and it is a long-term rehabilitation management which will give to various disorders. Hearing disorders, speech and language disorders in all the age groups should learn clearly without any difficulties. In learning process, it is very important to have a specific method to teach the basic concepts. It is always better to have hands on training of the skills that were carried in the class rooms.

Indian ASLP education

There are lots of institutions which will provide ASLP education in various places. Due to the scarcity of technology or some financial crisis the education system is failed to implement to aid technology in the field of ASLP. There are various government or private sectors who offers ASLP courses. ASLP consists of various variety populations of disordered people where it can’t be produced in all over the India. In this context, few students may miss the opportunity to look forward those cases.

Abroad ASLP education

There are lots research happened by using simulation methods in the education of ASLP where various authors stated that many students are benefitted in simulated learning than traditional education. Dr. Stacey discussed how SimMan gives students a chance to practice their clinical abilities before they go out and practice on real patients in an interview with The Ubyssey (UBC’s Student newspaper, 2018).

Nyoni, Dyk & Botma reviewed 48 articles and stated that Clinical learning is an essential component of undergraduate health professions education, hence clinical placement models should put emphasis on helping students develop their competency[2].

The learning stage is crucial in health professionals because if the student is perfect in learning concepts underlying each disorder, they can assess and treat the patients well, enhancing their quality of life.

India is a multicultural and multilingual country with both unique challenges and opportunities for clinical practice, education, and training for ASLPs. There will be several impediments, such as caste, illiteracy, social status, and rural vs. urban differences, among others. Students should be taught in depth from the start in all aspects such as anatomical and physiological, clinical demonstration of instruments, electrophysiological tests, test materials, and, most importantly, counselling to parents/care takers. All of this will be taught to students in the present traditional education system, but in order to improve student performance even further, it is preferable to make changes to the current education in the field of ASLP in INDIA [3].

The utilization of educational tools, software, and simulation approaches will assist pupils increase their confidence. The fouryear (BASLP) and two-year (MASLP) course lengths should prepare students to master all theoretical and clinical components. However, due to specific factors, all educational institutes are unable to deliver the greatest education using traditional techniques of teaching [4].

According to several surveys, recruiters must teach students for at least one month after they graduate due to a lack of basic understanding.

Other certification courses or fellowship courses are blooming these days, even for ASLP professionals, such as fellowship courses on swallowing, cochlear implantation, certification courses such as PROMPT, and so on. To be specific, these are not required for a perfect ASLP, where everything should be thought in their academics as per their curriculum.

The main aim of this paper is to express my opinion on how changing educational teaching methods, such as the incorporation of various educational apps/software’s and simulation methods, will provide a great opportunity for all students to build their careers with confidence and perfect practice in dealing with various cases. Whereas these adjustments are beneficial in boosting the quality of students as well as increasing the best outcomes of finest health professionals.

If the educational system has altered, there is no need for ASLPs to seek on-the-job training, fellowships, or other certification courses to obtain even after completing bachelors, masters, and PhD degrees. Similarly, to other medical courses, the ASLP education system should use simulators and other training tools to help students become better health professionals through pr actice and learning concepts.

1. Moore D E, Green J S and Gallis H A (2009) Achieving desired results and improved outcomes: Integrating planning and assessment throughout learning activities. J Contin Educ Health Prof 29: 1-15.

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2. Nyoni CN, Dyk LHV and BotmaY (2021) Clinical placement models for undergraduate health professions students: a scoping review. BMC Med Educ 21: 598.  

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

3. Speech-language pathology simulator provides unique educational opportunities; School of Audiology & Speech Sciences (ubc.ca)
4. Pro Warrior (2021) How educational apps benefit students. Pros Cons