Information technology in health professional education: why IT matters

Summary aper analyses the potential of information technology (IT) to transform the process of learning in higher education, particularly health professional education. It is argued that IT, although very much part of the infrastructure of the modern university has yet to make its full impact on teaching and learning processes. The expectations of students and demands for improved flexibility and access make it inevitable that IT will become an integral part of teaching and learning despite inherent resistance to change. The potential benefits of IT are identified as: transmission of high quality content, support of life-long learning, flexibility of access and enhanced opportunities for communication. These concepts are explored in the context of health professional education. It is argued that universities cannot survive without harnessing the power of IT to improve the educational experience of students but lecturers should ensure that this is underpinned by sound educational theory. The works of Salmon, G. (2002a). Future Learning Encounters: keynote presentation Eurocall Dr. Gilly Salmon Centre for Innovation, Knowledge & Enterprise Open University Business School Milton Keynes, Salmon, G. (2002b). E-tivities: the key to active online learning Kogan Page, London, Laurillard, D. (2002). Rethinking university teaching: a framework for the effective use of learning technologies. Routledge/Falmer, London and Winnips, K. (2001). Scaffolding-by-design as a model for online learner support Koos Winnips, Faculty of Educational Science and technology, University of Twente, Netherlands, http://scaffolding.edte.utwente.nl/ are explored to provide guidance on how to use IT and particularly e-learning to enhance students’ learning experience.