News Archive

Four Urology modules (Haematuria and Bladder Cancer, Renal Stones, Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer) have recently been launched on WebCT, for fourth-year medical students, and are currently being evaluated, with feedback from students, faculty and urology staff.

Each module follows a standard format: pre test, learning content and post test. Classic components of the content section include an introduction or definition of the condition, images, symptoms, complications/risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, module-specific items and a conclusion.

Additional sections have been integrated and combined with a range of interactive images, audio and video to facilitate learning aspects related to the various conditions.

This exciting project was initiated by Professor Dickon Hayne , after winning a Faculty Teaching & Learning Grant in 2008. The project team comprises Prof. Hayne, A/Prof. Diana Jonas-Dwyer, Ms Fiona Leece and Dr Wei- Ling Ooi. Placing the urology modules on WebCT in this timely fashion represents a major accomplishment: Prior to this project, the teaching of Urology was not a formal part in the medical curriculum. Furthermore, Professor Hayne and his team have had to negotiate copyright issues relating to the media content in the modules.

“The time spent and the experience gained preparing the first module has made subsequent modules easier and quicker to complete,” explains Professor Hayne.

The project has attracted attention both locally and overseas: In England, discussions are underway with the University of Oxford, concerning future altruistic exchange of web-based teaching projects and potential co-branding opportunities.

Closer to home Professor Hayne has offered these modules as an altruistic teaching resource to Notre Dame Medical School and discussions are underway with Amanda Sherratt, coordinator of the Master of Nursing degree at Curtin University of Technology, who has expressed her strong desire to incorporate urology web-based teaching modules into the urology nurse practitioner course.

The Education Centre wishes to congratulate Prof. Hayne on this impressive achievement!

To view the urology modules from WebCT, please email Fiona Leece at the Education Centre for login details.

Ully Fritsch