Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
of Web-based medical simulations, which are
cost-effective and provide free accessibility to
all students. This means that medical students are
able to use the simulations from any place, even
from their own home, needing just a conventional
PC. These virtual learning environments are con-
sidered suitable for distance learning in medicine
providing significant advantages (Brodlie et al.,
1999):
a verres needle inserts into the abdominal cavity
to inflate the cavity by pumping carbon dioxide
into it. Another application of web-based medi-
cal simulation is the one used by the Department
of Neurosurgery in the Leeds General Infirmary
to train surgeons in the treatment of trigeminal
neuralgia (Li et al., 2000). A well-recognized
treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is percutaneous
rhizotomy procedure. This procedure involves
the insertion of a needle into the patient's face
and guiding it towards the foramen ovale, which
is punctured to allow access to the nerve causing
the pain. The simulation provides an alternative
exercise for trainees in which they practice before
performing the operation on real patients.
•
Free accessibility and low-cost
•
A large number of users can use the simu-
lator at the same time.
•
Limited software requirements (only a
simple VRML browser is required without
any other special software)
•
Web-based simulations can run from any
place in the world.
DeSIgNINg ANALYSIS
•
Students can safely practice many times
on specific procedures before performing
them on a real patient.
This section aims to present some specific design-
ing rules for web-based educational virtual reality
environments considering the hypermedia, virtual
and educational nature of these applications. How-
ever, before this analysis, a research on the role of
Web and virtual reality technologies in distance
education as well as on some basic pedagogical
methods to ensure the educational effectiveness of
the learning environment is considered necessary.
•
In case of powerful computations, users
can share the power of a remote server
However, there is still a question whether the
development of web-based simulations with suf-
ficient realism and speed to enable real time inter-
actions is possible. Within WebSET (Web-based
Standard Educational Tools) project (El-Khalili et
al., 2000), medical simulations were developed for
neurosurgery, lumbar puncture and laparoscopy
procedures showing that World Wide Web can
provide an effective virtual environment within
which training can be enhanced by 3D simulation
and interaction. Specifically, the neurosurgery
procedure developed within WebSET project
concerned the simulation of ventricular catheter-
ization, where students acquire an appreciation of
the ventricular system in the brain and learn how
to cannulate it in an emergency. The lumbar punc-
ture simulation involved the insertion of a needle
between vertebrae in the lower back directly into
the spinal cord to take a sample of spinal fluid
for various tests. In the laparoscopic operation
Distance education on the Web
The term “distance education” is mainly used to
imply the physical distance among teachers and
learners. Traditional distance education practices
aim at the substitution of face-to-face instruction
using various communication means, such as mail,
video or audio tapes, educational programs on TV,
teleconferences etc. and rarely, in some special
cases, a limited number of meetings. The advent
of the World Wide Web has changed radically the
field of distance education providing a new form
of learning, widely known as online education
(Harasim, 2000) (or alternatively e-learning). The
main advantage of Web is that it provides a suitable
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