Creating an e-learning module from learning objects using a commentary or 'personal learning assistant'.

The use of learning objects (LOs), small chunks of learning stored digitally and reused or referenced to support learning, was described as a promising approach to the creation of e-learning modules or programmes. In practice, however, the early enthusiasm has waned and the approach has not been widely adopted. It is argued that this was due, at least in part, to a neglect of the pedagogy and an emphasis on the technical aspects of interoperability and reusability. This article describes a practical approach to constructing a learning module using LOs where a commentary links LOs selected for inclusion in the programme. The commentary tells the story of the e-learning module and provides the learner with a context for an LO. It can be viewed as a 'personal learning assistant' that advises students about the management of their learning and relates the e-learning module to the overall learning outcomes for the curriculum. The commentary also allows the lecturer to comment on LOs selected for inclusion in the programme which otherwise might have to be adapted or excluded when the programme was constructed. The use of a commentary to link and introduce LOs has been successfully adopted in the development of e-learning programmes. Teachers are encouraged to consider the approach and to look again at the use of LOs to create e-learning resources.

Integration of e-learning resources into a medical school curriculum.

BACKGROUND: E-learning has the potential to make important contributions to medical education, but there has been limited study of a blended approach in which the digital resources are introduced alongside traditional teaching methods such as lectures. METHODS: We describe the successful embedding of an e-learning resource into 3 of the 5 weeks of cardiovascular system teaching for 164 first-year medical students by providing scheduled slots in the timetables. A questionnaire completed by the students at the end of the 5 weeks had a response rate of 66%. Students varied in how they made use of the resource, some systematically working through it and others browsing and studying sections felt to be personally most relevant. RESULTS: Almost all (96%) rated the e-learning resources as probably or definitely of value: they particularly valued interactive activities, animations, video demonstrations, video clips of experts and self-assessment exercises. Graduate students had a significantly more favourable assessment of the e-learning resources than their undergraduate colleagues, while female students felt the value in supporting existing learning opportunities more strongly than male students. CONCLUSIONS: It should not be assumed that all students will choose to use an e-learning resource in the same way and instructional design should enable alternative approaches. The sequence in which the e-learning resource is used in relation to the other learning opportunities, such as lectures and PBL group discussions, may be important and merits further consideration. The experiences reported in this study provide encouragement and pointers for others engaged in the integration of e-learning in their curriculum.

Death by PowerPoint - the need for a 'fidget index'.

PowerPoint is an application designed to help the speaker or lecturer assemble professional looking slides to be used in oral presentations. The result sadly is often an unending stream of slides with bullet lists, animations that obscure rather than clarify the point and cartoons that distract from rather than convey the message. This paper examines what the speaker can do to avoid 'death by PowerPoint'. The options of an alternative communication format or an alternative presentation tool are considered. For most speakers, however, the problem is not with PowerPoint but with how they make use of it. Three approaches to making presentations using PowerPoint are described which should yield rich rewards and a more attentive and appreciative audience.

Trends and the future of postgraduate medical education.

Where is the present flurry of activity in medical education leading and what sort of future is envisaged? This paper looks at trends in postgraduate medical education. Four themes and two trends for each theme have been identified. The themes are: the postgraduate medical curriculum, the application of learning technologies, assessment of competence, and professionalism in medical education. The trends are: outcome based education and a unitary approach to medical education; the use of simulators and e-learning; competency and performance based assessment, and portfolios and self assessment; and training the trainer and best evidence medical education. Any limitations in implementing change will likely result from a lack of imagination in those planning postgraduate medical education and their ability to bring about the necessary changes. To avoid a growing gap developing between what is possible educationally and what is delivered, it is clear that we need a new paradigm for postgraduate medical education.

"On Track"--an educational resource to support dental SHO training.

This paper describes the development, implementation and evaluation of an educational resource, "On Track", designed to support dental SHOs throughout their time in post, thereby helping them gain optimum benefit from this important stage in their early postgraduate training. The need for such a resource was highlighted by a previous study undertaken by the paper's key authors with SHOs and their trainers in a UK dental school. Among several areas of change identified by both trainers and trainees were the needs to develop the SHO experience into more than an apprenticeship by improving the trainer/trainee relationship, and to encourage trainee-centred learning and self-appraisal. The key aims of "On Track" were therefore to define the outcomes of SHO training, to facilitate the relationship between SHO and educational supervisor (trainer), and to encourage the SHO in reflective learning and self-appraisal."On Track" was subject to developmental testing with both trainers and trainees to ensure that it could achieve these aims and the resultant resource is described, along with its implementation and evaluation. "On Track" met with mixed success and the reasons behind this and conclusions drawn for the introduction of any future similar resources are outlined.

The specification of learning outcomes in dentistry.

Increasing emphasis is being placed in dentistry, as in other areas, on outcome-based education and on the specification of learning outcomes. This paper describes the adaptation for dentistry of the medical three circle model as described by Harden to specify learning outcomes. The model offers an effective and user-friendly format based on the three dimensions of the work of a dentist. What the dentist is able to do ('doing the right thing'), how the dentist approaches their practice ('doing the thing right'), and the dentist as a professional ('the right person doing it'). The model also facilitates curriculum and examination planning, reconciles tensions between vocational and academic education and is readily understood and accepted by students and teachers.

Applying learning outcomes to dental education.

Increasing emphasis is being placed in dentistry, as in other areas, on outcome-based education and on the specification of learning outcomes. An earlier paper by the same authors described the adaptation for dentistry of Harden's medical three-circle model to specify learning outcomes. This paper shows how learning outcomes can be applied in dental education, in particular in the areas of student selection, curriculum planning, teaching, learning and assessment.

Exit learning outcomes for the PRHO year: an evidence base for informed decisions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potential learning outcomes for pre-registration house officer (PRHO) training and develop an evidence base for informed decision making. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 2-stage Delphi process was employed to establish the opinions of Scottish stakeholders with regard to learning outcomes for the PRHO year. PARTICIPANTS: Doctors involved in the provision of PRHO training, including deans, postgraduate tutors and general practitioners (GPs) with trainees, were invited to participate in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Respondents rated a range of outcomes according to which they believed should be included or excluded from the PRHO training year. RESULTS: Learning outcomes identified for PRHOs were grouped under the 12-domain framework of the 3-circle model: 'What the doctor can do', 'How they approach their practice' and 'Their professionalism'. Based on the consensus opinions gained in the Delphi study, the ratings were classified into priority groupings. Priority 1 contained 45 of the original 81 learning outcomes, representing each area of the 3-circle model, with emphasis on the domains of clinical skills, patient investigation/management, communication, appropriate attitudes and personal development. Health promotion and disease prevention was the only domain not represented at priority 1. Priority 2 contained 24 outcomes with emphasis on the understanding of clinical skills, patient management and personal development. Priority 3 contained 12 outcomes indicating a lack of emphasis for some outcomes, particularly the role of the doctor and health promotion. CONCLUSION: Consensus on the learning outcomes for PRHO training has been achieved, providing an evidence base for curriculum planning. The relative priority assigned to these outcomes can facilitate the use of the evidence. This evidence base should be referred to when reviewing any PRHO training programme.