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TH‐D‐350‐05: Remote Real‐Time Teaching and Learning (RRTL) in Medical Physics — An Update
Author(s) -
Woo M,
Ng K
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.2962890
Subject(s) - power point , the internet , active listening , point (geometry) , software , multimedia , computer science , mathematics education , world wide web , psychology , mathematics , geometry , communication , programming language
Purpose: This is an update on the Remote Real‐time Teaching and Learning (RRTL) project. The purpose of the project is to conduct real‐time lectures to Medical Physics students over the Internet. Method and Materials: Since 2002 there has been ongoing collaboration between the University of Toronto and the University of Malaya, with lecturers in Toronto conducting lectures for Medical Physics students in Malaysia over the Internet. Another project has started this year between the University of Toronto and the University of Wuhan in China. Students at the University of Wuhan view Power Point slides as they are presented by the lecturer in Toronto. They could see a live video image of the lecturer, while listening to the live audio feed. Various typing and drawing tools allow the lecturer and the students to interact directly. The lectures could also be recorded and viewed at a later date. Guest lecturers as well as students can be included from multiple sites. The software platform Microsoft LiveMeeting is used as the main tool. Results: Some initial technical difficulties had to be addressed, but the system has attained a stable condition to allow the lectures to be carried out smoothly. The software platform is already a standard feature at our institution so the cost is minimal. The project is interesting enough to attract guest lecturers who have been generous to donate their time for a worthy course. Students find the experience very comparable to a traditional classroom environment, and the ability to interact directly with experts in the field highly valuable and rewarding. Conclusion: With the advent and ubiquity of the Internet, remote real‐time teaching/learning is an extremely cost‐effective way to deliver quality education, especially to locations where the profession is developing rapidly and there is high demand for training. It should be actively promoted.