To understand what UDENTE can do, the use of a 3D metaphor is helpful. This is where the UDENTE airport comes in.
Imagine that the airport terminal is the secure UDENTE environment...
each school brings in its own plane of students, staff, and crew to the Terminal – the captain being the Dean. (Charter/scheduled members of UDENTE)
the luggage is tagged and is full of a range of objects which can be uploaded into the airport and new luggage chosen by the travellers from the luggage carousel. (Learning Objects)
all the travellers are subject to airport security. (Legal and copyright issues)
the concourse is an area for discussion and collaboration and the shops a place to buy extra items for travel. Timetables can be obtained and other tools for travel, to make the onward journey more pleasant and organised. (The Global Forum)
the course options can be seen on the arrival and departure boards and security assured through logins and passports. Radar for the air traffic control will inform the airport who is about to arrive or depart. (Courses)
This is the metaphor for the airport ecosystem of UDENTE.
Terminal
Integration platform providing ‘superglue’ and backed by standards
‘Launch pad’ for applications
Timetabling
Double-blind marking and standard setting
Global gradebook
Electives (outgoing and incoming)
VLE Plugins (Moodle and WebCT)
Luggage
e-content
Elsevier and Blackwell’s dental books
CPD material from the UK Department of Health
Materials from King’s and partners
Uses Equella for content
Search by keyword using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) taxonomy
I believe UDENTE is now set to become an integral part of delivering an up-to-date dental curriculum. It allows my faculty, as well as other dental schools in Italy, to share knowledge and technology with the international community of dental educators. As chief Dental Officer of Italy, I will encourage all dental schools in Italy to use the world's first virtual dental school as a key component to delivering their curriculum.
Professor Corrado Paganelli
Dean of Dental School, University of Brescia, Chief Dental Officer, Italy