I have a dream of setting up an open learning community or network for students learning ultrasound in my institution. Here are some of the reasons why i think this could be useful:

1. The topic in question currently does not have dedicated time allocated to it in the course structure and it is difficult to find the time in an already packed course.
2. I think that a lot of the learning will therefore have to occur asynchronously using a flipped classroom model, with time in the classroom dedicated to practical sessions.
3. It appears to me that learning in communities is great. It would be fantastic to have an online space where students could interact and discuss learning material. Ultrasound learning involves looking at and interpreting images, so it would be wonderful and highly accessible for students if this could be done online.
4. It would also be wonderful to see how the online platform develops or grows over the years. Would it be well used, or become just another online space that nobody uses. The design of the space would need to be considered carefully. I feel that getting students to engage in online discussion spaces or forums is very challenging.
5. This would also be a new method of teaching or learning for the students.

Let’s see how this works out….to be continued