E-Learning : the next big thing in medical education

Abstract EN

the rapid advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the wide use of the World Wide Web has important implications for education1.

This continuous advancement in technology (e.

g.

Broadband internet connections, Ubiquitous Computing, Open Source Softwares) in conjunction with the recent recommendations in medical education suggesting a move toward problem-based learning (PBL) and use of information and communication technologies2.

All these factors led to the evolution of the e-learning environment in medical education.

An initiative is underway in Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Omdurman Islamic University (OIU), Sudan which aims to introduce a modern web-based learning environment serves undergraduate medical students, supports the newly adopted philosophy of Problem-based Learning, and provides these new generations of doctors (Net generations) with the knowledge and skills they need to be a successful practitioners.

This digest endeavors to give a bird’s-eye view of e-learning, its benefits and limitations and explores, with examples, some of the current uses of e-learning technologies in the education of medical students.