Students' attitudes towards an on-line orthodontic learning resource.

Full Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this study was to develop an online undergraduate orthodontic e-course and assess its success as a learning resource from the students' perspective. METHODOLOGY: The orthodontic e-course was composed of six main components; modules, photo gallery, clinical consultations, glossary, reading lists and resources. Four undergraduate orthodontic lectures were converted into a web-based format using text, photographs, PowerPoint presentations and animations. The sample was comprised of sixty-four third year undergraduate dental students at Birmingham Dental School, UK. Their average age was 20.7 years (age range: from 20-25 years). A questionnaire was developed to assess; course design, course delivery, course outcome and the potential use of the e-course as a teaching method. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between genders (P < 0.05). Overall, student responded very positive to positive for course design, course delivery and course outcome. The orthodontic e-course was still seen by most subjects (86%) as an adjunct and not a replacement of the traditional teaching methods. 34.4% of subjects felt that it should be as an optional supplement and 51.6% felt that it should be integrated with the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum. The significance of the program as a learning resource was reported to be the best aspect of the program. CONCLUSION: Delivery of web-based material in the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum was seen by students as a significant learning resource which supplements traditional learning methods.

Author information

Author/s: Linjawi, A L (AL); Hamdan, A M (AM); Perryer, D G (DG); Walmsley, A D (AD); Hill, K B (KB);

Affiliation: King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe (Eur J Dent Educ), published in Denmark. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-May; vol 13 (issue 2) : pp 87-92

Dates: Created 2009/04/16; Completed 2009/07/13;

PMID: 19368551, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 7/24/2009, IMS Date: )

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