Advanced distributed learning, broadband internet, and medical education

Summary form only given. Medical education will be increasingly facilitated by the proliferation of computers capable of displaying combinations of text, graphics, video, and sound; broadband networks capable of delivering these multiple media to the home, office or clinical setting; and new methods for using these technologies for education and training. However, current models and methods for technology-based learning are limited, lagging behind the rapid technological evolution driving our entry into the Information Age. There are several recent initiatives aimed at developing new models and methods that take advantage of the emerging, broadband Internet. These fall under the general rubric, "Advanced Distributed Learning" (ADL). ADL can be considered to have the following characteristics: deals with complex topics, decision making under conditions of uncertainty, knowledge of facts and theories important, but less easily taught knowledge (the "art" of medicine judgment, creativity, intuition, empathy, ability to communicate well) is a strong determinant of success. Learning models are appropriate to these more complex topics. Extensive use of media (notably motion video), hence uses broadband Internet Interfaces are more immersive, more intuitive and easy to use, and more appropriate to specific training applications than traditional Web-browsers. This presentation will address ADL and broadband Internet in medical education via discussion and demonstration of actual applications.