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

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.

Podcasts--an adjunct to the teaching of dentistry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how clinical students reacted to the use of Podcasts for undergraduate teaching. The most popular way of listening to them was on a computer. Students scored highly the subject matter of the Podcasts and used them for learning around the subject, especially during examination time. Podcasts are a valuable vehicle for delivering learning materials to students: offering flexibility but in tune with students' love of downloading materials to use when they wish.

Potential of information technology in dental education.

The use of information technology (IT) in dentistry is far ranging. In order to produce a working document for the dental educator, this paper focuses on those methods where IT can assist in the education and competence development of dental students and dentists (e.g. e-learning, distance learning, simulations and computer-based assessment). Web pages and other information-gathering devices have become an essential part of our daily life, as they provide extensive information on all aspects of our society. This is mirrored in dental education where there are many different tools available, as listed in this report. IT offers added value to traditional teaching methods and examples are provided. In spite of the continuing debate on the learning effectiveness of e-learning applications, students request such approaches as an adjunct to the traditional delivery of learning materials. Faculty require support to enable them to effectively use the technology to the benefit of their students. This support should be provided by the institution and it is suggested that, where possible, institutions should appoint an e-learning champion with good interpersonal skills to support and encourage faculty change. From a global prospective, all students and faculty should have access to e-learning tools. This report encourages open access to e-learning material, platforms and programs. The quality of such learning materials must have well defined learning objectives and involve peer review to ensure content validity, accuracy, currency, the use of evidence-based data and the use of best practices. To ensure that the developers' intellectual rights are protected, the original content needs to be secure from unauthorized changes. Strategies and recommendations on how to improve the quality of e-learning are outlined. In the area of assessment, traditional examination schemes can be enriched by IT, whilst the Internet can provide many innovative approaches. Future trends in IT will evolve around improved uptake and access facilitated by the technology (hardware and software). The use of Web 2.0 shows considerable promise and this may have implications on a global level. For example, the one-laptop-per-child project is the best example of what Web 2.0 can do: minimal use of hardware to maximize use of the Internet structure. In essence, simple technology can overcome many of the barriers to learning. IT will always remain exciting, as it is always changing and the users, whether dental students, educators or patients are like chameleons adapting to the ever-changing landscape.