Experiences with a blended learning course for clinical veterinary education at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Summary Aim and goals: The Clinic for Ruminants of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (VUW) set out to develop a multimedia e-learning course as an addition to the elective subject „Endoscopy in Ruminants”. The course aimed to improve the transfer of knowledge, should make the doctrine more attractive and grant unlimited access to the content. As the e-learning pilot-project was asked to encourage and support following university institutions, the developmental process was documented. Apart from the question about acceptance by the students, the conditions under which such a didactically and technically demanding project was realised by a single university clinic, needed to be estimated. Material and methods: Two co-workers of the Clinic for Ruminants supplied the texts, multimedia files and the concept for all the learning objects, while the university e-learning team performed the implementation on the learning platform, the final video editing and programming of the innovative study elements. Results: Since November 2007 the attendant course offers basic knowledge of the methods as well as the endoscopic examination techniques of the upper airway, oesophagus, abdominal cavity, urinary bladder and the teat were also described in a multimedia manner. In addition to ana - tomic and physiologic basics, indications, the technique of choice, required instruments as well as expected findings are discussed. The generous use of pictures, video sequences, animations, learning games and time-unlimited access were positively evaluated by the students. Conclusions: The e-learning course improved the teaching quality of the elective subject decisively. Students and teachers profited equally and considered such a course as an ideal addition to clinical ‘hands on’ education, but not as a substitute. Such substantial e-learning projects are elaborate and should only be carried out by universities under the appropriate organisational, financial and personnel conditions.