Port Blair, Nov 6: Medical Education Unit (MEU)of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Port Blair conducted 3 days MCI recognized Basic Course Workshop in Educational Technology from 2nd to 4th Nov 2016 from 8am to 5 pm. Twenty seven Medical College Faculty including Professors, Associate and Assistant Professors attended this workshop as per Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines.
Prof. Kavita Bhatnagar, Course Director for this workshop and Head of Ophthalmology and MEU Coordinatorinformed that for last 2 years, MCI Nodal and Regional Centers were only given permission to conduct this course. ANIIMS, Port Blair is one of the first few colleges in the country to get permission by MCI to conduct this course in their own college in the presence of MCI observer from the affiliated Nodal Center. It is creditable that our college got permission so early despite being a newly opened college. It was possible because of efforts taken by MEU Coordinator and full support from affiliated nodal center at SRMC, Chennai. MCI Observer gave an excellent report.
The workshop started with lamp lighting and inaugural address by Prof Deshpal officiating Director ANIIMS and HOD ENT. Course Objectives and Welcome address was delivered by Prof Kavita Bhatnagar. Sessions were conducted by ANIIMS faculty who are trained in Medical Education and are members of Medical Education Unit. The course included sessions on Learning process, Aligning Teaching Learning and assessment to competencies and objectives, Clinical skills teaching and assessment, Skills laband many more.Participants’ feedback was excellent.
The vision behind conducting such courses is that teaching is not just an art and is a science and can be learnt and improved by training and practice. Not all are born teachers. Being a good doctor is not synonymous with good teacher. The establishment of medical education units in many medical colleges and initiation of medical teacher’s training programs in recent years have led to increased interest in teaching methodologies. Medical teaching has finally been accepted as an end in itself, not as a side show to be performed when the doctor has the time to spare. All medical teachers must be sensitized to newer educational technology. Ultimately, the traditional role of the medical teacher as the ‘source’ and ‘resource’ of information would largely recess, and a new role would be defined. He should be seen as a ‘guide’ by the side not as a ‘sage’ on the stage.
