Use of the Internet as a teaching medium: the Irish orthopaedic experience

Abstract

We have developed an online Orthopaedic Discussion group in Ireland to complement weekly lectures and to encourage active learning. It has proven itself to be an excellent method of teaching and provides a platform for the discussion of complex cases and journal article appraisal. Time constraints during the working week have lessened the hours available for lecture attendance by the orthopaedic trainees. Rather than abandon didactic lectures, the Consultants and orthopaedic trainees saw the need to develop a complementary teaching technique and felt that computers and the Internet provided the ideal solution. The discussion group involves the presentation of clinical scenarios in a question and answer format, thus encouraging problem-based learning. Trainees have the opportunity to research topics and formulate answers at a time convenient to them. All involved in the discussion group have their e-mail addresses on a listserv allowing correspondence to reach trainees. The discussion group provides a method by which trainees across the country can involve themselves in a nationwide teaching programme focused on case presentation and optimum time management.