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Implementation of a Curriculum Management System at a Faculty of Medicine – Lessons Learned from a Pilot Project

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Technological Developments in Networking, Education and Automation

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Abstract

Integration of electronic curricula remains highly variable among medical schools in North America. A major challenge has been availability and implementation of an ideal curriculum management software system (CMS). The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of using a CMS system at the University of Manitoba (U of M). At the U of M, we implemented a multi-user software system designed to provide faculty and students with an integrated curriculum, scheduling, calendar functionality, and communication tools. The goals of the pilot project were to explore the feasibility of an electronic curriculum and to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the software. One block each from the 1st and the 2nd year medical school class were chosen for the pilot project. Data were collected through student and faculty surveys, student and faculty login-ins, student page views, and through direct communication with various users. Most students (100%) and faculty (78%) indicated a strong need for an electronic CMS. A statistically significant increase in student log-ins (p<0.01) and page views (p<0.05) occurred from week 1 to week 6 and then reached a plateau, whereas faculty log-ins remained constant. The 1st year and 2nd year medical classes were dissatisfied (34% and 57%), neutral (24% and 25%), or satisfied (42% and 18%) with the CMS, respectively. This pilot project demonstrated that an electronic CMS was feasible at the U of M. In addition, we learned how to effectively implement such a system, and how to encourage faculty and students to adopt the system. The lessons learned at U of M may be instructive for other faculties attempting to deploy electronic curriculum for undergraduate medical education.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge and thank class of 2011 students, Blocks III and VI instructors and administrative staff of Undergraduate Medical Education Office (Pat McCullough, Pre-Clerkship Program Administrator; Mark Torchia, Med I Coordinator; and Vieanna Beck, Administrative Assistant) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba for their superb enthusiasm and terrific support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Aarti Paul, Daniel Yaworski, Keith McConnell, Bruce Martin, Dean Sandham & Sat Sharma

Authors
  1. Aarti Paul
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  2. Daniel Yaworski
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  3. Keith McConnell
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  4. Bruce Martin
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  5. Dean Sandham
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  6. Sat Sharma
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aarti Paul .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, University of Bridgeport, University Avenue 221, Bridgeport, 06604, USA

    Khaled Elleithy

  2. School of Engineering, University of Bridgeport, University Avenue 221, Bridgeport, 06604, USA

    Tarek Sobh

  3. Dept. Civil & Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic University, Jay Street 333, Brooklyn, 11201, USA

    Magued Iskander

  4. Dept. Civil & Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic University, Jay Street 333, Brooklyn, 11201, USA

    Vikram Kapila

  5. Old Dominion University, Monarch Way 4111, Norfolk, 23508, USA

    Mohammad A. Karim

  6. School of Engineering, University of Bridgeport, University Avenue 221, Bridgeport, 06604, USA

    Ausif Mahmood

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Paul, A., Yaworski, D., McConnell, K., Martin, B., Sandham, D., Sharma, S. (2010). Implementation of a Curriculum Management System at a Faculty of Medicine – Lessons Learned from a Pilot Project. In: Elleithy, K., Sobh, T., Iskander, M., Kapila, V., Karim, M., Mahmood, A. (eds) Technological Developments in Networking, Education and Automation. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9151-2_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9151-2_16

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  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-9150-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-90-481-9151-2

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