WE‐E‐203‐05: Medical Physics Teaching Opportunites in an ITunes World

Abstract

Introduction: Today's students have come up in a world where online audio and video content is widely available. Through the use of television production and iTunes, increased opportunities for out of the classroom learning are available. Method and Materials: During the last three years at the University of Arizona, we have used the medical TV resources in our institution to record our medical physics courses. The class studio is equipped with computers, pad camera and video players. An integrated teaching environment is achieved where one may transfer from traditional “chalk board” (pad camera) methods to advanced computational and video presentations. In class lectures proceed as normal with the inclusion of microphones for recording. Lectures are then placed on University iTunes with in a few days of class. Recordings of past years lectures are made available to the students in addition to the current instructor's lectures. Video podcasts of advanced topics not covered in lectures can also be made available which may allow for instructors to maintain course schedules. Other laboratory podcasts may also be developed for QA, machine engineering and machine operation. These will allow for students to participate in labs independently outside of normal clinic hours. Results: Students have multiple opportunities to review the lecture and other material regardless of class time. Content that may have been missed due to illness or other absence may still be covered. Additionally, competing course schedules may now be accommodated without rescheduling class times. Use of the TV/iTunes system has allowed for students in any semester to view the same topic from multiple instructors. This has given a diversity of presentation which may allow for students to better understand topics. Conclusion: Use of video lectures and podcasts in an integrated iTunes environment allows for increased opportunities for learning for medical physics students.