Roz Tritton

When most people think of electronic learning they think of putting a disk in a computer and working through the multimedia presented alone and at their own pace. The term eLearning encompasses much more than this and can harness all the resources of the internet to include live lectures, webcasts, interactive discussions, web-based resource portals as well as the CD and DVD based programmes.

Advantages

With reducing postgraduate education funding and for practitioners not wanting to lose clinical time for CPD, eLearning provides an additional valuable tool. It can be used in tandem often pre or post conventional or skills centre teaching and a programme can be tailored to answer an individual’s specific need. For example, working through core material prior to a formal course may save tutor and facility time in a world where budgets for these are getting tighter. When a conventional course is tightly tied in with the disk-based material this is often referred to as ‘blended learning’.

Performers List Implications

For those needing to demonstrate competence in key skills areas the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners has produced a disk which covers each of the areas. Used in conjunction with the validation processes this will allow applicants to make a start on the journey to validation without having to wait for the formal courses.

It is also planned to provide guidance and templates on the Deanery website to facilitate the personal and Practice Development Plans. Practitioners will be assisted in producing these by local tutors.

e-Learning Tutor

The Oxford Deanery has appointed me as eLearning Tutor to facilitate and develop these opportunities for Dentists and Dental Care Professionals (DCPs). The initial focus will be on those applying to join the Performers List and Dental Nurses preparing for registration. I shall engage with the conventional course organisers to make participants aware of eLearning options and arrange for the course tutors and organisers to support them in working through the course materials. There will also be development of a learning section on the Deanery website which will include signposting to other internet resources and the Personal and Practice Development Plan templates.

Roz Tritton
Postgraduate Dental Tutor for e-learning