Vets test out mobile technology

Web-based clinical application puts an end to paper and pen

The Royal Veterinary College is using mobile technology to aid learning

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is using mobile technology to aid learning when students are away from the classroom treating surgery cases.

Students at the RVC’s Live centre in Hertfordshire are testing the clinical activity tool myPad, a web-based application specifically designed for use on portable smartphone devices operating over the college’s WiFi and Orange 3G networks.

Participating students can make, store and retrieve notes in the field using myPad on Orange smartphones, omitting the need for pen and paper and helping them balance the relationship between theoretical and practical learning.

Notes can also be recorded and stored safely, and easily retrieved at a later date. The devices can display diagnostic images and record data sources.

All the information can be uploaded onto the college’s server and then accessed using a PC.

Jeff Bullock, software developer at the RVC, says the student-led project has improved organisation of work.

‘Students can record all activities while learning away from the college – an electronic notebook is preferable to pen and paper because they can store lots more notes, search and categorise and attach different files,’ he said.