Introduction

1. Background The inaugural GCM Virtual Classroom concluded in September 2009 with 14 European and African students completing a basic course on microbicides and receiving a course completion certificate. Content was adapted from Microbicides Essentials, an on-line course designed to provide answers to the difficult scientific and ethical questions advocates have to deal with every day. Through the use of ReadyTalk, a web-based teleconferencing and webinar service, individuals were able to connect within the GCM Virtual Classroom. Over the course of four months, students from as far apart as Zambia, Denmark, Rwanda, and Portugal sat down together every two weeks in front of their computers to participate in seven cyber-space study sessions. Equipped with headsets, computers, and phones, the dedicated students logged on to engage with expert speakers and GCM staff, view scientific animations, and take interactive quizzes. Advocacy topics examined in depth included female condoms, PrEP, and rectal microbicides. • Session Topics • The HIV Lifecycle • Mechanisms of Action: An Update • Lessons Learned from the Female Condom • How to do Phase III trials • Lessons Learned from working with CABs • Rectal Microbicides • The Microbicides Field Landscape Leveraging Web-based Technology to Build the Capacity and Knowledge of AdvocatesGary Wolnitzek¹, Rebekah Webb² ¹ Global Campaign for Microbicides; ² Consultant Introduction “It’s completely different doing the course with the other students and experts than doing it alone.” – Harriet Langanke, Germany “My favourite session was the one on mechanisms of action. I was really thrilled by the animation of the viral transcriptase action on the normal cell.” - Chibuike Amaechi, Nigeria "It was very very useful to talk to the experts in the Virtual Classroom. You could ask them questions and broaden your thinking.” - Paul Moses Ndegwa, Kenya "The Virtual Classroom made what we were learning from the online course more ‘alive’, current and relevant.” - Mudia Uzzi, UK For more information on the Microbicides Essentials course please visit www.HIVPreventionResearch.org www.global-campaign.org info@global-campaign.org