An E-learning environment in cardiology domain

Abstract

The research reported in this short paper explores the integration of virtual reality, case-based reasoning, and multiple linked representations in a learning environment concerning medical education. We have focused on cardiology domain by adopting a pedagogical approach based on case-based teaching and cooperative learning. Our aim is to engage apprentices in appropriate problem situations connected with a rich and meaningful virtual medical world. To accomplish this, we have adopted the MATHEMA environment to model knowledge domain and to define an agent society in order to generate productive interactions with the apprentices during problem solving regarding a given case. Also, the agent society may provide apprentices with adequate multimedia content support and simulators to help them in solving a problem. © Springer-Verlag 2004.