Is Elearning The Way Forward Education Essay

Is E tuition The Way Forward Education EssayE- learnedness, in its broadest sense, is the use up of networked information technologies in nurture. E-learning is to a fault called as network establish learning, online learning or Internet based learning. E-learning is not bound to time and classroom attendance scholarly persons and readers whitethorn be at divergent locations on different times. One of the most common types of E-learning resumes the form of distance learning configurations. Universities transfer course material for the assimilator to study individually and complete tasks based on the course material. This allows students to access the course material on the web anytime and from anywhere. Advancement in computing and information technology coupled with approximately universal availability of the broadband make e-learning an enticing option in many fields including health check pedagogics. In this assignment I go away be reflecting on my personal experien ce with e-learning. I will as well discuss its applicability in undergraduate medical direction, postgraduate medical education and continuing medical education of practicing clinicians.Theory behind e-learningThe meaning of cognition and learning have changed through time. There is a indisputable swift in emphasis on learning, rather than tenet, as we right move towards a learner centred curriculum. E-learning, which is based on well authenticated adult learning principles, certainly facilitates a learner centred begin. Traditional education is based on instructivism theory. Teacher or tutor teaches a predefined mountain of information, deciding what students had to learn. Students learn to pass the enquiry. E-learning is based on constructivist and cognitive theories suggesting that learning is individualised and the students past experiences and knowledge have a great match on the newly acquired knowledge (Jonassen 1994). Blended learning refers to learning involving aggregate methods and approaches, comm whole a mixture of class room and e-learningRequirements for successful instruction executionMitchell and Honore 2008 proposed a benefital system for successful implementation of e-learning programmes. The base of the pyramid, which forms the initiation for successful e-learning programme, consists of appropriate, accessible technology and usable, stimulating and interactive design. The apex of the pyramid is represented by the individuals who ar involved in the programme and their billet and motivation forms a major sort out in the success of e-learning methods. radical computing skills argon essential for the success of e-learning. There is an assumption that the actual undergraduates have the necessary computing skills. Kiran et al 2004 has shown that computing skills among undergraduates are variant and atomic number 53 butt end not assume expertise or veritable(a) ability. Good technical support is essential including after h ours support. For stiff e-learning, student should be able to access material quickly both on campus and at home. decelerate connectivity can be a task. There is goodish constitute involved in setting an e-learning programme.Role of e-learning in continuing Medical EducationAll practicing clinicians in the United commonwealth are obliged to attend Continuing Medical Education programmes to maintain knowledge and skills as a part of appraisal and revalidation (The General Medical Council). E-learning offers nice opportunities in this area. I have perfect many online e-learning courses. Advantages of these courses include tokenish cost, no travel cost and there is no need to take over time off to attend these courses as they can be completed from home. They offer excellent value for money and the quality of these courses are like to that off traditionalistic courses.I recently attended an advanced laparoscopic operation skills course. Few weeks prior to the course I was a sked to sign up to the course organisers web site. I was able access part of the course material. This enabled me to occupation some of the skills prior to attending the course. This has certainly nurtured my learning more than than I would have acquired without the access to the e-learning material. There were 20 participants form 8 countries and most found the e-learning genuinely useful.E-learning has make it possible for practicing clinicians from a outdoor(a) part of the world to contact their peers through pictorial matter conferencing in the care of difficult clinical situations and this facilitates on-the-job learning. When I was a resident in 1989 I had to wait for over two weeks to find out around an important adverse effect of a drug which now I could find out in a couple of minutes apply online electronic databases. In medical education there can be no doubt that opportunities for learning occur all the time and not confined to the class room and e-learning has a lot to offer in this regard.Role of e-learning in Postgraduate Medical EducationE-learning plays an important component in Postgraduate Medical Education. Many Deaneries across the United Kingdom has setup e-learning portals for the benefit of postgraduate trainees. Harden 2006 suggested that e-learning will be one of the most important developments in the delivery of postgraduate medical education. In surgical training many hands on courses utilise e-learning methods to enhance face-to-face learning.Types of e-learning resourcesThe basic e-learning resources include e-textbooks, power point presentations of lectures and electronic keep an eye on boards. The communication in these methods is one way. Bilham 2005 argues that much of e-learning using these methods was based upon a model of knowledge transmission from the teacher to student as in the traditional education system. The rise of new technologies has turned the World replete(p) Web from strictly an information destina tion into a platform, not only to read or watch media, merely to actually do things (Martin and Parker 2008). This has made innovative approaches possible in the field of medical education including congregation projects, virtual patients and virtual clinics. This encourages interactive learning.E-learning in undergraduate medical educationI discussed with many Foundation Year one doctors who have graduate from different medical schools across the country. I have observed that the consumption of e-learning is variable between medical schools. They felt that e-learning enhanced their learning in basic medical science like anatomy. multimedia system graphics helped them as they felt that the laboratory demonstration in it self was not ample for learning. In clinical medicine they felt that e-learning was beneficial in problem based case discussions and case presentations.E-learning has the likely to enhance the learning kind of of simply presenting the information. Examples of beneficial multimedia system may include a characterisation clip, computer animation for explaining the underlying patho physiology and images of investigations like chest x gibe or endoscopy pictures. I have observed that some e-learning using multimedia technology detract the learner from the key message that the teacher cute to convey and this should be avoided. Physical skills are best learnt by perform them under direct supervision. E-learning, however, can be employ to augment the teaching of practical skills. A video showing the technique will be helpful in priming the learner prior to attending a teaching session.Another interesting development in medical education is the application of virtual patient. Examples in this category include a video of clinical consultation to illustrate history taking or examination skills or for demonstrating a physical sign. This is useful for demonstrating certain clinical conditions which the student is unlikely to encounter during th eir short stay in certain clinical attachments like dermatology or rheumatology. Virtual patients can be used to teach the skills of diagnostic reason out and patient management through interactivity. There are packages acquirable which allows the student to take a virtual history from a bank of questions and this is followed by examining the patient. This can be artificial and I swear this is better learnt bedside.We have to acknowledge that most of the learning that occurs in clinical practice is opportunistic and technologies which could bridge the gap in experience will be beneficial.Assessment and feedback in e-learningAssessment and feedback are important elements of medical education. Time logged on to the website and accessing the e-learning modules can be monitored as a part of formative assessment. Formative or additive assessments in e-learning courses can be carried out using Multiple Choice Questions and Extended Matching Questions. Multimedia enhanced virtual patie nt case scenarios can be used for assessment followed by Multiple Choice Questions or diagnostic reasoning tests. Care must be taken to include all possible correct answers in diagnostic reasoning tests because programming can be technically contend. I have some reservations in using e-learning summative assessments as the identity of the student can not be guaranteed and may encourage cheating. Feedback in e-learning is limited to correction of mistakes and it is difficult to provide minute feedback.Evidence for e-learning in medical educationCook et al 2008 conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of net based instruction in medical education. They have concluded that e-learning is better than no intervention and as effective as traditional education. They have also concluded that there is no evidence to conclude that e-learning is better than traditional education. Clark 2002 has demonstrated that students are very satisfied with e-learning. Students, however, do not se e e-learning replacing instructor-led training but as a complement to it, forming a part of a mix learning strategy.Advantages and disadvantages of e-learningE-learning has many advantages. The learner can schedule the learning around their personal and professional feeling minimising disruption to their day to day life. E-learning allows the learner to choose the learning material which is beneficial to them. The learner can one thousand their learning which suits them best. They will be able to contact their colleagues and teachers in discussions which can happen synchronously or asynchronously depending on the nature of the discussion. E-learning encourages the learner to take responsibility to their learning.The disadvantages of e-learning are as follows. There is a considerable extend up cost as well as maintenance cost and this should be taken in to account when setting up an e-learning programme. As learners are responsible for their learning unmotivated learners and lear ners with poor study uniform may find it difficult to progress. There is added responsibility for the facilitator to be available on demand. Students may feel socially isolated, however, blended learning overcomes this issue. Slow or unreliable internet connection can be challenging as most multimedia content needs fast internet connection.ConclusionE-learning has become an integral part of medical education starting from undergraduate medical education to the continuing professional development of the practising clinicians. wish well other teaching methods, e-learning has its own strengths and weaknesses and need to be used appropriately. E-learning has the potential to shift the balance form teaching to learning. Basic computing skills are essential for e-learning. The range of e-learning activities varies from e-books to co-ordinated project works. Studies have shown that the results of e-learning methods are comparable to traditional teaching methods in undergraduate medical education. To be successful e-learning has to be combined with traditional teaching methods as a blended approach as practice of medicine involves real patients not virtual patients. E-learning is also playing an important role in the development of postgraduate trainees and life long learning of practicing clinicians. E-learning certainly has the potential to enhance the learning in medical education, if used appropriately.