E-learning Environments in Medical Education: How Pervasive Computing Can Influence the Educational Process

As pervasive computing is integrated incrementally with all facets of everyday life, it is reasonable to expect that its further proliferation may influence educational activities as well. Several such arguments have been thoroughly discussed in literature and several projects have been developed. However, little work has been done to investigate how pervasive computing can influence the medical educational process using e-learning platforms, and the prerequisites for such endeavours. In this piece of work, a theoretical framework that puts the use of pervasive computing along with the special needs and requirements of Medical education utilising e-learning environments is proposed. To this extend likely problems and difficulties that may arise are discussed together with the social consequences that may be provoked.