BioMed Online Learning: a Case Study on the use of online methods to service work place training requirements.

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in 2003 by the BioMed Online Learning Consortium to see whether workplace experts might be able to use online learning methods to service workplace training needs at a high standard of quality.

Workplace consultants, university academics and web-page designers teamed together to provided the necessary pool of relevant expertise and the Consortium  -a partnership between 17 NHS hospitals, the Health Protection Agency and the University of Greenwich  - implemented a quality assurance structure to ensure that course content, delivery and the standard of achievement of students would be able to stand up to the quality assurance procedures adopted by the higher education sector. Seven structured short courses were developed in a range of topics spanning breast cancer, renal and respiratory disease and healthcare associated infection through to the latest developments in genetic analysis, point of care testing and quality systems management. Experts drawn from the workplace were employed as tutors to deliver the courses using wholly electronic methods.  The courses yielded statistics indicating nearly100% student progression from a pool size of 109 students and feedback reports have indicated a high level of satisfaction from both students and workplace training officers.  An analysis of course interactions between students and tutors together with feedback surveys highlights the crucial elements for success, namely a well-structured course with focused opportunities for interaction between students and tutors.

Bio

Professor Pat Harvey _{BSc PhD ILTHE}

• Director and Academic coordinator of BioMed Online Learning
• Certified WebCT Trainer responsible for training Biomed authors and tutors in e-learning techniques  
• Author of online learning materials in Bioinformatics, Enzymes and Microbiology

Dr. Ahshan Khan _{BSc, MSc, PhD}

• Biomed Product Manager responsible for maintaining connectivity and production of web-based materials
• PhD in biochemistry; Masters in Computing
• Free-lance consultant in creating and developing web-based learning materials for the scientific community.

Catherine Ronan _BSc

• BioMed Admin Manager responsible for managing the BioMed Online Learning Project office