For the second year in a row, Critical Care Medicine Fellows at the University of Pittsburgh will use video iPods to view lectures and other training materials. The advantage gained by having access to a rich array of curricular materials through an Internet connection is important to our fellows who have a heavy work schedule. The use of iPods is one of the newest initiatives of the online curriculum project began 7 years ago by Jim Rieker, PhD. The online curriculum consists of a “Core” Lecture Series, including Cardiovascular, Obstetrics, Renal, Neuro, Infectious Disease, Liver Transplant, Cardio-Thoracic, and Palliative Care sections. More than 90 lectures, as well as Journal Club and Grand Rounds presentations will be podcast this year. Using a MacBook Pro for lecture delivery and QuickTime technologies for media development, the lectures are rapidly converted to web-based videos and video podcasts, usually within hours of the presentation. A key advantage of using iPods is the ease by which daily lecture podcasts are received and automatically synchronized to an individual’s iPod. The devices can hold more than 100 video lectures – the entire annual set of Critical Care lectures on one mobile device.

Portable video podcasts fit nicely within an educational system where fellows go online to watch streaming lectures, evaluate lecturer performance, take exams and view video-based training modules. Since the management of the online curriculum is database driven, meeting the extensive reporting requirements for accreditation is simpler than before. The response to the introduction of iPods has been overwhelmingly positive. Most of the fellows regularly view lecture podcasts, even those they have attended in person. More than 90% think it has a positive effect on their learning experience.

Future projects include a searchable index of key concepts within the lectures and providing video-based advanced organizers for training sessions. The online curriculum joins technology-based departmental educational projects such as WISER [link] training led by Critical Care’s award winning teacher, Dr. Paul Rogers. And yes, fellows must still attend lectures when possible.

For more information see our Education section on this website.