WebCT: integrating computer-mediated communication and resource delivery into a new problem-based curriculum.

Full Abstract

WebCT, front-end software for Internet-delivered material, became an integral part of a problem-based learning, student-centred curriculum introduced in January 2001 at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine (South Africa). A template for six curriculum and two supplementary modules was developed. Organiser and Tool pages were added and files uploaded as each module progressed. This study provides feedback from students with regard to the value of WebCT in their curriculum, as well as discussing the value of WebCT for the delivery of digitized material (e.g., images, videos, PowerPoint presentations). In an anonymous survey following the completion of the first module, students, apparently irrespective of their level of computer literacy, responded positively to the communication facility between staff and students and amongst students, the resources and the URLs. Based on these preliminary responses, WebCT courses for all six modules were developed during 2001. With Faculty support, WebCT will probably be integrated into the rest of the MBChB programme. It will be particularly useful when students are off campus, undertaking electives and community service in the later years.

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Author information

Author/s: McLean, Michelle (M); Murrell, Kathy (K);

Affiliation: Department of Physiology, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. mcleanm@nu.ac.za

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of audiovisual media in medicine (J Audiov Media Med), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Mar; vol 25 (issue 1) : pp 8-15

Dates: Created 2002/05/23; Completed 2002/06/07; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12025491, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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