Regional and institutional multimedia databases are created to improve access to educational resources and to avert unnecessary duplication. The growth and success of these databases depend upon the willingness of faculty members to donate their materials. Despite conferences such as Slice of Life that foster a culture of sharing, multimedia are rarely shared among educators. Recently, we conducted a qualitative study examining the barriers that block the free exchange of educational multimedia and the incentives that could be created to overcome educators' concerns.

Thirty-four faculty members (including several loyal "Slicers") from thirteen medical colleges participated in one of five focus groups. Participants strongly supported the idea of multimedia databases, particularly those that serve a national audience. However, many were reluctant to donate multimedia to such databases. Obstacles for donating materials included the lack of institutional recognition for educational innovation, confusing intellectual ownership policies, the hassle involved in sharing materials, and the perceived commercial potential of the materials. Peer-review of donated materials was seen as an important incentive.

This study identified a large number of concerns among faculty members about sharing multimedia with one another. To encourage the free exchange of educational multimedia, medical colleges need to address these concerns. The purpose of this breakout session is to discuss ways in which this could be achieved. How can institutional barriers be removed and what can be done to streamline the donation process? Should peer-reviewed educational materials be considered as an academic achievement? Are there other ways in which faculty members' concerns could be addressed and that would foster a culture of sharing?

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

Participants will learn about the outcomes of a study that identified educators' concerns regarding sharing multimedia with colleagues. These concerns hamper the free exchange of educational materials. The discussion of the breakout session will focus on ways in which these concerns can be addressed and how incentives for sharing can be created.

Sebastian Uijtdehaage
60-051 Center for the Health Center
Box 951722
Los Angeles, CA 90095
USA
Phone: 310/794-9009
Fax: 310/267-0320
Email: bas@ucla.edu
Website: http://www.healcentral.org