MEDEV

School of Medical Sciences Education Development

Introduction

At the University of Bristol, the needs of both orthodontic trainees and trainers are changing. A potential solution has been the development of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to deliver the academic content of the taught doctorate (DDS) in orthodontics.

Background

The NHS requires training orthodontic specialists to take 3 years to a level recognised for entry to the General Dental Council specialist list. Specialist registrars (SpRs) recruited for training in Bristol are also registered with the University of Bristol to undertake the DDS.

The University delivers an academic course, including a research dissertation as part of their training which also includes a clinical component.

The recent changes in junior doctors hours and the need for compliance with the European Working Time Directive means that travel is now considered part of work time.

The SpRs registered for the DDS currently travel for a weekly academic day in Bristol. We now have SpRs travelling from Portsmouth, Dorchester, Plymouth, Exeter and Taunton, and a solution to this travel burden had to be found.

In addition there is a shortage of academics to deliver teaching, with those that are available already under pressure to deliver high quality research. Any increases in teaching efficiency would clearly have benefits for trainers and trainees.

Interactive VLE

We are developing electronic teaching modules to deliver the academic content of the DDS in Orthodontics. These are being housed within a VLE that is fully interactive.

These modules are readily available to the students over the Internet with interactivity between trainee and trainer. This project has integrated other advances such as the use of clinical digital photography and broadband technology.

Blackboard has helped us move student interactivity to a new level, with facilities for discussion boards, web-based assessments and electronic student feedback.

The academic content of the course is based on the curriculum approved by the Specialist Advisory Committee in Orthodontics at the Royal Colleges of Surgeons.

There are 36 modules in total and we hope these modules will be finalised within the next twelve months. The VLE will demand a more learnercentred approach. The modules will have built in assessments which include essays, MCQs and MSAs, all housed within Blackboard.

LTSN-01 funding

In mid 2003, we added a new dimension to the Bristol VLE with the introduction of web conferencing. Two Specialist Registrars in Portsmouth and Dorchester are piloting this scheme, initially through journal clubs and some lectures. This has been facilitated with a grant from the LTSN for £5,000 for the VLE project.

There have been teething troubles which include the NHS firewall and issues with sound quality between the three sites.

Overall, web conferencing has been very successful and will be an important feature of the VLE in the future.

Dissemination

When the core curriculum and modules are completed, we would like to make the project available for use in other Universities’ orthodontic programs.

Each programme could take advantage of the flexibility of the module format and customise the core academic material in the modules to suit their course.

When this VLE project is completed, the burden of travelling on SpRs and trainers will be significantly reduced. The delivery of teaching will certainly become more efficient, allowing all those involved to cope with the pressures associated with a clinical career.

Just as Blackboard opened several avenues for us at the Dental School, this project could be of real benefit to other postgraduate programmes and other specialities.