Generation 4

Peter Hartley from the University of Bradford (our critical friend) visited us on March 5th 2009. The meeting was very informative with respect to the role of the critical friend, how the other projects in the cluster could work together (common themes), and an overview of the aims of G4 were outlined.

Talks about hosting the first cluster meeting at St George’s was also discussed.

The first workshops took place on 27th February.

It begins with an introduction on how to adapt the paper cases into branched virtual patients, lead by Jonathan Round who is our expert trainer. The Subject Matter Experts (SME) then start to create their case.

1. Mapping out the first tutorial on a whiteboard

2. SME presenting the maps to the rest of the group

3. The maps are then created electronically using the VUE Program with the options

4. The SME then completes the case in their own time.

Follow-on workshops will be arranged as the project progresses.

Well it has been a while since we blogged on here, let me start by an update on what happened in January and February:

January

• Meetings arranged with the T year coordinator to arrange a strategy on approaching case adapters and module leaders, potential case adapters were identified for most cases.
• JISC ran an evaluation workshop which was very helpful - evaluation methods, how to plan our evaluation strategy was discussed. G4 had the advantage of having identified its major stakeholders and what each one would be potentially be interested in. Overall a good workshop.
• Training needs for the case adaption discussed and dates made available for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to come and attend.
• A cross curricula case review group meeting was held, the group discussed how G4 would fit into the curriculum and how the cases would be reviewed.
• The monthly project team meeting also took place - mainly taking about the draft project documentation to be submitted in February.

February

• The draft final project documentation was submitted.
• Meeting with Module leaders was held to discuss how the project will be involved in delivering the PBLs online.
• SMEs were contacted as case adapters.
• G4 was briefly mentioned at the MBBS course committee meeting - its role in the T-year.
• We had a JISC visit - discussed how the project was progressing and received positive feedback on the draft plan, it was identified as a well written, clear plan, which was encouraging.
• The steering group meet on the same day as the JISC visit so Lisa was able to attend as well as Mark. Outcomes were good and no issues identified at this stage of the project.
• The project team meet again - training needs, space and the number or tutors needed for the PLBs were discussed.
• G4 was presented to the Centre for Medical and Healthcare Education within St George’s.
• The first case adaption workshop took place.