Knowledge acquisition and participation are both essential elements of learning processes [ 13] and there is an intimate connection between knowledge and activity in a social community of practice [ 10].
But pedagogical tools, digital or otherwise, are only effective if understood and used as a complement to the essential elements of learning, which is not in the technology itself.
An essential element to learning how to communicate scientifically is learning to communicate.
In training for end-of-life care, it is acknowledged that students need time to "reflect and debrief about their own emotional reactions concerning the care of seriously ill and dying patients…[as] an essential element of the learning experience in palliative medicine" [ 19].
Metacognition, the ability to analyze one's own critical thinking process and to adjust it when necessary, is an essential element of robust learning.
Building on the work of Johnson et al. (1998b), Johnson and Johnson (2000), and Tanner et al. (2003), many researchers have identified five essential elements of cooperative learning.
However, the process of interviewing can also be viewed as an essential element of sense-making, reflection and learning [ 40] through the development of "narratives" [ 41] Interpretation, reflection and learning are more likely to guide future action than forgotten "truths".
These are meta-cognitive skills, regarded as essential elements of in-depth learning.
Continued learning is an essential element of the DRM process because both the availability of risk information itself and the local capacity to interpret and make decisions based on such information are generally limited in Cambodia.
Learning physical examination skills is an essential element of medical education.
Designing studies that make it possible to learn from experience and take action to improve future performance is an essential element of quality improvement.
