For the last ten years, forward looking universities have been making their course materials available online and assessing what effect this has on their students, the wider community and the academic staff who have produced the materials. Now a national programme is underway in the UK, designed to test the practical considerations and benefits of putting educational materials online.

Project Director Dr Margaret Sills comments: "At this stage in our work we would really value input from Public Health educators who can contribute resources so they are freely accessible to the whole online community, making a real contribution to Public Health education around the world."

Educational resources could, for example, take the form of case studies, discussion triggers, podcasts, videos of lectures or interviews with public health practitioners. The most experienced universities in this movement use facilities such as iTunes and YouTube to provide innovative and topical material, and the academics involved can find themselves as chart toppers, as their material is downloaded by thousands of students, professionals and independent learners.

The most well established institutions in this sector have gained significant international exposure for their programmes, and their recruitment of undergraduates has benefited as well. Prospective students use this facility as part of their selection process and gain a taster of the quality and style of the courses available.

To contribute a resource to this exciting development in Public Health education, contact the PHORUS project via its website or call Rosie Cannon on 020 3177 1621.