Advances in Medical Education and Practice (Oct 2023)
Integrating Virtual Teaching in a New Era of Medical Education: Lessons from a Neurology Course
Abstract
Tamara Kaplan,1,2 Christopher Tarolli,3 Christopher T Doughty1,2 1Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 2Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 3Department of Neurology and Center for Health + Technology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USACorrespondence: Tamara Kaplan, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA, Email [email protected]: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden shift toward virtual learning in neurology education, which presents challenges for educators. However, virtual learning is here to stay for three key reasons: demand among students, ease of dissemination, and potential to improve educational quality. Despite challenges, educators can teach effectively using appropriate virtual tools and methods, with innovative approaches that will ultimately lead to sustained improvements in neurology education. Here, we aim to help educators effectively incorporate virtual instruction into their “new normal” by offering practical, evidence-based tips for balancing in-person and virtual learning, selecting the appropriate tools and methods for virtual teaching, and creating a supportive virtual learning environment. Using a systematic approach, educators can identify specific, achievable goals, determine the content’s scope, appropriate assessments, select appropriate teaching methods, and create the session schedule and materials. Here we described evidence-based strategies for best practices, developing virtual material, and creating the appropriate virtual learning environment.Plain Language Summary: This paper reviews how the COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for medical educators to switch to virtual learning for neurology courses. Even though it presents challenges, virtual learning is important because students want it, it’s easy to disseminate, and it can improve the quality of education. Educators can learn how to use virtual tools and methods effectively by being innovative and making sustained improvements in neurology education. This paper offers practical tips based on evidence to help educators balance in-person and virtual learning, select appropriate tools and methods, and create a supportive virtual learning environment. By taking a systematic approach, educators can set achievable goals, decide what to teach, pick the best ways to teach it, and create a schedule and materials for the course.Keywords: virtual learning, Learning Enviornment, Synchronous Learning, Asynchronous Learning, Curriculum
