Much of the educational material that Faculty of Medicine (FoM) students use during their training is available online. From UBC library resources, to medical slides and videos, students use Internet-based resources on a daily basis.
But getting wireless Internet access in some clinical sites can be a challenge. In some locations, wireless does not exist. And in other locations, existing networks block commonly used sites – such as YouTube – for security or policy reasons.
MedIT partnered with UBC Information Technology, BC Health Authorities and Health Shared Services BC to look for a way to provide students with better wireless access. The solution? Use existing Health Authority infrastructure to offer UBC wireless coverage in clinical sites through the eduroam (education roaming) solution.
Eduroam is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. Students and other UBC-affiliated users located at clinical sites will be able to use their Campus Wide Login to connect to eduroam and gain access to the educational materials they need.
The eduroam solution not only meets the FoM’s needs, it will also benefit affiliates of other educational institutions at clinical sites. Users from educational institutions participating in the international eduroam community will be able to access the Internet for their educational needs. Currently, this includes Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, the University of Northern British Columbia, Thompson Rivers University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Providing wireless access to educational resources in clinical sites helps to fulfill the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to transformative learning. It will also allow the Faculty to meet new accreditation standards that require access to educational material be provided at all sites of instruction.