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On 13 January 2010, WHO launched TEACH-VIP E-Learning. TEACH-VIP E-Learning is based on TEACH-VIP,1 the comprehensive injury prevention and control curriculum developed by WHO and a global network of prevention experts. Since its launch in 2005 TEACH-VIP has been put into use in training settings in over 80 countries.
TEACH-VIP E-Learning enables learning in the violence and injury prevention field via online access to the training content or CD-ROM access for those with limited or no internet connectivity. This self-administered and self-paced learning contrasts with TEACH-VIP, which has been developed for facilitator-based instruction.
There has been increasing use of online, or so called e-learning, training resources over recent years and the use of these delivery methods offers some clear advantages while also presenting new challenges.2 TEACH-VIP E-Learning was adapted for online and CD-ROM use by the Education Development Center (EDC), in collaboration with WHO. The development process included pilot testing by testers within 18 countries, both early in the development phase and towards the end of the development process. Early pilot testing took place over three iterative stages during 2008 and made use of screen sharing software to determine the best possible compromise in terms of site navigation, page layout and the overall learning interface. Later pilot testing focused on relevance, usability and correspondence between the training resource and the training objectives.
TEACH-VIP E-Learning is organised into 20 lessons, which cover a broad range of topics related to violence, unintentional injury and disability. Lessons are designed to take approximately 1 h to complete, although optional activities and readings proposed within each lesson can add to the time required. Lesson structure includes a homepage with a lesson overview and table of contents, the learning objectives and related topics, three self-assessments to allow learners to gauge and monitor their progress, and an optional learning activity designed to be completed offline. In addition, each lesson contains selected online resources which can be downloaded directly from within either the online or CD-ROM version of the lesson.
TEACH-VIP E-Learning also makes extensive use of hyperlinks, allowing learners to link to related lesson content in separate popup windows, or access a glossary providing definitions of key terms. On creating a user account, the system will allow returning users to track their progress in terms of lessons completed and performance in the self-assessment quizzes. Printer-friendly versions of the lessons and most of the publications in the resources section of each lesson can be downloaded, printed, used offline or distributed in electronic or print formats using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. The CD-ROM format has all of the same functionality apart from tracking of individual progress.
Similar to TEACH-VIP, WHO expects that this new capacity-building resource will be utilised by a wide variety of training audiences. The training content was designed for public health professionals and care providers; staff of public health ministries and other government sectors; officials from non-governmental organisations; and university students in schools of medicine, nursing, and public health.
The launch of TEACH-VIP E-Learning marks an important new complement to WHO's other capacity-building resources such as TEACH-VIP and MENTOR-VIP. With regard to these latter two resources, it should be mentioned that TEACH-VIP 2nd Edition will be launched in the latter part of 2010 and will contain new training content, updated data and case examples, as well as injury and violence prevention evidence that has emerged since the launch of TEACH-VIP in 2005. MENTOR-VIP,3 4 the global mentoring programme for injury and violence prevention, will be accepting applications for its fourth year of operation from 15 February to 14 May 2010. Individuals interested in applying for a mentorship within MENTOR-VIP may find out more about the programme and apply by visiting the capacity-building section of WHO's website.
To access TEACH-VIP E-Learning, visit http://teach-vip.edc.org/.
Footnotes
Disclaimer: Dr Meddings is a staff member of the WHO. He alone is responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or policies of the WHO.
Competing interests None.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.