Takeaways from Unit 1

Assignment: Outline at least 5 major conclusions you would draw from

unit 1:
Unit 1 highlights the role of technology in education. As economies
move to an era of digitalized technology, new skills are needed to
remain competent in the workforce. There has been rapid
transformation in the work environment over the years. For example, in
addition to traditional medicine new skills have to be learnt. With the
advent of Robotic Surgery, surgeons have to be competent in use of
robotic technology. Medical procedures can be done between centres
that are located in different parts of the world via use of telemedicine.
Thus graduates should be prepared for the changing market, one that
relies heavily on digital technology.
In our goal to create independent learners, faculty needs to
equip students with the necessary tool for self-directed, independent
learning. Students will need to know where to find the additional
knowledge they need and how to do a literature search. There is a
wealth of information in various electronic libraries and databases
around the world that students can access in their learning. Thus both
faculty and staff should be skilled at doing literature search using
various search engines e.g. PubMed and UptoDate where evidence
based medicine may be obtained.
There is greater diversity of students at university and students
have varying expectations. More adult learners are being enrolled. So
we are faced with a group of students who have competing interests
such as family responsibilities, full time jobs and little time. The new
generation relies heavily on social media as a means of
communication. Thus, educators are faced with the challenge of
accommodating all students with various learning styles and cultures.
Students may need to have access to lecture content outside of regular
lecture hours. One has to consider recording lectures to post on line or
posting lecture slides online. Lecturers have to include in their course
designs, means of engaging the younger learners with the learning
content material for example with use of social media and chart
forums.
Technology has reformed the style of teaching. Blended learning
has evolved. In addition to traditional lectures, virtual learning
environments are incorporated. On line learning such as Blackboard
Collaborate may be used in courses where face-to-face teaching is not
possible for all students. PowerPoint slides, Chats, Blogs, Video clips
are being used to engage persons in a variety of learning styles. Some
persons are now using computer-based exams for assessment.
There is an increasing market for online teaching. More persons
opt for massive open online courses. For example Kaplan Institute
provides short online courses for USMLE. Students have access to

educational resources and they can do self-assessment and get

immediate feedback. USMLE Exams are computer-based.
Faculty must find diversified methods of engaging each student
in the learning process and create a good UWI graduate product with
UWI attributes that is ready for the digitalized information technology
world.