Put the Student in Charge: Take Part in the Biggest Revolution Ever in Teaching and Learning in Dermatology

Abstract

Nearly all dermatology education will be possible online, with superior potential for interaction between student and teacher, for evidence-based learning and for meeting the needs of individual students. Online interaction is already integrated in dermatology undergraduate education in many universities. Teachers need to understand the new pedagogy and how to use novel e-learning techniques to unlock the fantastic potential of online dermatology education. But running the international Diploma in Practical Dermatology over the last 10 years has taught that provision of high quality online dermatology learning is labour intensive and not cheap. Hard copy undergraduate books will be replaced by competitive online learning material aimed at medical students. Teaching universities will either rapidly adapt to a highly competitive world market in online courses, or sink. New educational institutions, specialising in online education, will soon become household names. New software will emerge, responsive to the individual student’s learning needs, putting the student rather than the teacher in charge of life long learning. Dermatology teachers are urged to: get educated about how to educate online, plan your undergraduate curriculum around identified learning objectives, find studentappropriate websites and apps, create new online videos, abandon live lectures, use tutor time for direct student interaction, set up online student interactive project work, and make your e-learning material freely available online to promote yourself and your department. “Stand back, the high speed e-learning train is ap proaching” Jump on fast! In this issue of Acta Dermato-Venereologica, Rees (1) provides an excellent historical analysis of the interac