Biomedical and medical education within a digital society

Abstract

Digital computers, which elevate the capacity of both individuals and human society, spread their possibilities widely in education. Software supports the teaching of physiology, anatomy, radiology, nursing, laboratory sciences and other fields of medicine. Existing learning programmes were assigned to drill and examined. The extension of the capacity of software graphics and penetration into research and practice makes it possible to use original documents and images and, therefore, to construct virtual reality which elevates effectiveness in facility training and the teaching of a creative approach among students. The Internet has been a major communication medium since the mid nineties. It brings greater democracy into the education process and makes it easier to admit data necessary in distance learning. Important databases (Web of Science, Medline etc.) have become part of ambitious university learning programmes; these databases are also available on the Internet. Despite technological progress in digital technology, many educational programmes contain only texts although web sites can be updated more frequently than printed textbooks. It is advantageous when a teacher helps and stimulates searching for excellent sites on the internet.