E-Learning

The HL7 e-Learning Project is sponsored by the HL7 Education Committee and the HL7 Board of Directors.

Project Scope:

There is a desire by the HL7 membership to be able to obtain HL7 standards education utilizing other than HL7’s current method of using traditional, instructor led, classroom training at Working Group Meetings (WGMs), Educational Summits, or at the customer’s location. Barriers to obtaining onsite education include such things as cost of travel, availability of course, availability of instructor, and availability of student.

In this project, the Education Committee will develop, demonstrate, and implement e-learning delivery methods to augment HL7’s current method of using traditional, instructor led, classroom training at Working Group Meetings (WGMs), Educational Summits, or at the customer’s location.

Definitions of e-learning on the Web include:

•Any learning that utilizes a network (LAN, WAN or Internet) for delivery, interaction, or facilitation. This would include distributed learning, distance learning (other than pure correspondence), CBT delivered over a network, and WBT. Can be synchronous, asynchronous, instructor-led or computer-based or a combination. [1]

•Covers a wide set of applications and processes such as Web based learning, computer based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via Internet, intranet/extranet (LAN/WAN), audio and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, and CD-ROM. [2]

•E-learning most often means an approach to facilitate and enhance learning by means of personal computers, CDROMs, and the Internet. This includes email, discussion forums, and collaborative software, e.g. BSCW or CSCW. Advantages are seen in that just-in-time learning is possible, courses can be tailored to specific needs and asynchronous learning is possible. E-learning may also be used to support distance learning through the use of WANs (Wide area networks). [3]

The initial two e-learning methods of Distance Learning and Web Based Training (WBT) build upon and replace the two projects previously initiated. Distance Learning is instructional delivery that does not constrain the student to be physically present in the same location as the instructor. Historically, Distance Learning meant correspondence study. Today, audio, video, and computer technologies are more common delivery mechanisms. Web Based Training (WBT) is similar to Distance Learning, but is “on demand”. They do not represent the “only” methods that this project will explore and demonstrate but rather the initial methods.