Development of a Mobile-Friendly Radiation Oncology Physics Learning Platform: A Progressive Web App for Active Learning
Abstract
Purpose
A persistent challenge in medical physics education is the lack of centralized, interactive, and easily accessible training tools that integrate into daily clinical workflows. Many existing resources are static, fragmented, and difficult to use consistently across clinical settings. To solve this issue, we developed a Progressive Web Application (PWA) that combines structured content with active recall learning tools and built-in progress analytics for residents and students.
Methods
The platform is designed for cross-device access on smartphones and web browsers and needs no software installation. Content and learning activities are organized into five modules aligned with the American Board of Radioloy (ABR) core curriculum: (1) Lectures, a structured library of topic-based materials; (2) Review, brief clinical summaries; (3) Flash Cards, a spaced-repetition tool focusing on key concepts and nomenclature; (4) Quiz, a randomized assessment experience with immediate feedback; and (5) Stats, a dashboard to track individual progress over time. A rapid-prototyping workflow allows for regular updates and improvements to keep up with evolving educational needs and advances in the field.
Results
A functional live version of the platform has been implemented and is ready for pilot testing in residency and student education. The design supports “just-in-time” learning during short periods of clinical downtime by combining concise review materials with retrieval practice especially on mobile devices. The Stats module provides real-time quantitative data (e.g., flashcard status and quiz accuracy) to help learners and programs identify knowledge gaps and track progress without burdening routine workflows.
Conclusion
This PWA offers a scalable, cost-free educational framework that incorporates active learning and progress tracking in a mobile-friendly format. The software program can be easily adopted across institutions for physics education for medical residents, physics residents, and students. Next steps include structured usability assessment and staged expansion to additional cohorts to evaluate engagement and educational impact.