The role of Educational Technology in Medical Education

Dear Editor Being one of the most effective tools for educational system improvement, educational Technology plays an important role in learning facilitation. In order to have a deeper, more effective and long lasting learning impact, this systematic approach designs, implements and evaluates the teaching- learning process, using specific purposes, new methods of psychology and communication sciences and also human and non-human resources (1). A fruitful and effective educational system which results in actual learning improvement cannot be achieved unless its faculty members become competent. To achieve this goal, not only they must attain and/or maintain academic qualifications, especially in their teaching area, but also be familiar with the newest communication and teaching methods and equipped with educational and professional skills. Considering the growing movement of education towards the new technologies and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education tendency for upgrading the educational technology and virtual learning, the need for experts in education technology was clear. Therefore, given its mission which focuses on scientific promotion and academic training improvement, in an cooperation with shiraz educational development center along with Center of Excellence for electronic learning`s staff and faculty members, Shiraz Educational Technology unit, established the Master of education technology courses (2). Education’s technology and E-Learning, have arises a condition in which many educational goals, such as independent learning, self-directed learning, learning regardless of time or place, collaborative learning and providing immediate feedbacks and assessment of learning, appears more achievable. Electronic medical education has become very popular in developed countries and is rapidly developing, since it has educational value and the tremendous broadening audience through educational programs. Considering the fact that currently, while the faculty members have to learn most of the new means of teaching, for most of their students, these new means of education such as computers and other associated applications are not really consider technology since they are not only completely familiar with but also very capable of utilizing them. Therefore, while faculties are trying to learn these new methods of transferring information, students’ expectations are getting higher each day, Hence it seems that educational technology mastery is an important neglected competency in faculties which mandates an especial training program for the universities’ upgrading and improvement

A brief description of Medical Education Master Program in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

As Medical sciences become more advanced and grow each day, so do the challenges of medical education. To overcome the new obstacles which are an inseparable part of science evolution, it is necessary to renew and improve the educational system .Achieving this, requires individuals who are educated in the new methods of learning and therefore can lead others through educational system development. During the past decade, these facts have led many medical universities toward establishing and pursuing new master and PhD. programs of medical education. As a Pioneer in the field of medical education and the first teacher training center in EMRO since 1972, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) has also contributed to educational system transformation by establishing master courses in medical education since 2008, with a goal of not only updating faculties` educational knowledge but also training efficient educational experts. In SUMS, these courses which are also mentioned in Dr. ARA Tekian’s article in Chicago University (1), were designed based on reviewing what Some of the greatest universities in the field of education such as Dundee, Maastricht and Chicago University have done. The courses last for five semesters and are available for all medical and paramedical faculty members, GPs and paramedical masters. To enter the program applicants must send their resume including their degree, previous education, and published articles. Moreover, they must also take part in an entrance exam which evaluates their knowledge of general English language along with their educational knowledge and computer skills. These courses are conducted using the newest methods and references of learning such as “A practical guide for medical teachers” (2). The students are also asked to study the most recent AMME Guidelines which are provided for them. According to students’ work field, in each semester, proper homework has been considered to improve what they’ve been instructed in practice. After becoming educational experts, these students can be hired in different sections of education departments, acting as educational ambassadors, initiating educational leaders & curriculums designers which, in turn, can little by little change the culture and face of education, hoping that these changes may someday result in spurring medical educational system