A Quarter-Century of Online Informatics Education: Learners Served and Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Biomedical and Health Informatics Education
• Online Learning Technologies
• Educational Strategies

Background:

• Online learning has undergone substantial evolution in value and methodology over the past 25 years.
• The field of biomedical and health informatics has increasingly adopted online educational approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review 25 years of author experience with online learning in biomedical and health informatics.
• To describe the learners served and lessons learned from this extensive online educational experience.
• To detail the historical progression of online education within the informatics field.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 25 years of online learning experience.
• Description of educational approaches as technology evolved.
• Analysis of learner demographics and educational outcomes.

Main Results:

• A significant number of learners have been successfully educated through online modalities.
• The online learning approach in this field has been positively received by learners.
• Numerous insights were gained to enhance the online educational experience.

Conclusions:

• Online education in biomedical and health informatics offers a scalable and exemplary model for learning.
• Continuous adaptation to evolving educational technology is crucial for effective online delivery.
• Lessons learned can optimize future online learning initiatives in specialized fields.