Interdisciplinary Journal of Virtual Learning in Medical Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 4, 2012

One of the main responsibilities of universities is to train students who will be the experts and managers of the future. Therefore, improving the educational level of medical science universities will lead to the creation of an effective work force needed for the society, and eventually lead to the improvement of public health throughout the society. This improvement and development will not be reached unless effective feedback is received and the shortcomings are resolved. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate all faculty members teaching at the educational wards of Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, in January 2011 based on the Cognitive Apprenticeship Model and present applicable feedback to clinical professors in order to enhance the educational system of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this study, the faculty members teaching at the internal, surgical,gynecological wards, as well as the wards of dermatology, urology, cardiology, and neurology. We used a valid questionnaire and evaluated six variables: modeling, coaching, reflection, scaffolding, articulation, exploration, and the general characteristics of the educational environment. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16. In the student's viewpoint, the most important characteristics of a professor who obtained the highest educational score were exploration, scaffolding, and coaching. Also, most students expressed that most of the evaluated wards needed to improve in motivating the students. Evaluation and feedback is one of the most effective methods for improving educational systems. By using suitable evaluation systems we can improve the educational system in medical science universities.

The aim of this study was to assess the philosophical principles of open and distant learning. Thisdescriptive study was done by assessing digital and library resources on the principles of distantlearning. In order to understand the philosophical and educational principles of open and distantlearning and to determine the epistemological, ontological, and axiological functions of its fourmain elements (distant learner, distant educational organization, distant educational content, anddistant educational inviron ment), collected data were analyzed using analytical andinterpretational methods. The results showed that pragmatism and constructivism have specificfunctions in the four mentioned elements of distant learning with respect to epistemological,ontological, and axiological aspects.

Corrently any institute that does not benefit from information technology and communicationnetworks, will gradually fall away from global communication. Therefore, various industries haveshifted towards applying information technology in order to increas their quality and productivity intoday’s competitive world. The health industry has also experienced such change. The health systemhas been constantly taking effective steps towards benefitting from the latest technologies to increasehealth and improve clinical anf financial results.In an announcement made in the 55th public session of the United Nations in Sepptember, 2000, andaccepted by 189 member countries, information and communication technology was introduced as animportant tool for achieving all the goals of this organization such as reducing poverty, correctingeducational and health services, easy access to governmental services and improving the society’shealth level. Considering the importance of medical records as the most important information sourcein healthcare, we can claim that one of the best aspects of the application of information technology inthe health system which has an key role in increasing the effectiveness of the health system, is thecreation of electronic medical records.The electronic health record tool is an electronic health record system that enables the healthcarepersonnel save time and money and improve the health condition of patients by organizing theirrecords. Moreover, the diagnosis and treatment process will also be simplified. This tool combinestraditional paper records with modern technological facilities for increasing the accuracy and speed ofcompleting healthcare records. Using paper records has certain problems such as mistakes related tobad handwriting, prescriptions, and mistakes in writing words, icreased costs for copying forms,cards, and files, and most importantly the place needed for filing the records and the human resourcesneeded for this task. Therefore, for overcoming these problems, electronic health records aresuggested. However, considering the sensitivity of the information, the confidentiality of the records is very important. Therefore, many countries have set policies int his regard. Maintaing the confidentiality of the records differs between societies considering their social, economical, scientific, political and cultural conditions.

Although traditional face-to-face learning sessions are still known as the most effective method oflearning, using tools such as the Class Management Systems can provide new learning opportunities.One of the most important applications of this system is its use in libraries and classes. Librarians andprofessors can increase their interaction with users using the online conversation application andtransfer knowledge to them. Online conversation is beneficial for most students because they can haveaccess to more facilities by consuming a shorter amount of time. Such web-based programs can bedivided into different categories such as content management system, learning management system, and class management system based on the amount of services they provide (i.e. producing and loading educational content, learning management, performing and correcting educational improvement tests).We aim to introduce the class management system in learning environments and its application inlibraries.