Online discussion boards in dental education: potential and challenges.
Eur J Dent Educ
; 16(1): e3-9, 2012 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22251350
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Online discussion boards may enhance critical analysis and reflection, and promote the acquisition of knowledge.AIMS:
To assess the effectiveness of online discussion board as a pedagogical tool in augmenting face-to-face teaching in dental education.METHOD:
Data were collected from a discussion archive offered through the E-course website of the School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, UK in 2008. A multi-component metric included; participation, social learning, cognitive processing, role of instructors, and quality of discussion. Messages were coded for 14 variables to evaluate these dimensions. Data were analyzed using content analysis methodology and a complete message was uses as the unit of analysis.RESULTS:
There were no significant difference in participation between students and instructors (P<0.05). Social interaction with peers appeared only through students posting messages with open questions (27/135 messages). The discussion board was mainly used by students to understand concepts (27/102 messages) and apply procedural knowledge (17/102 messages). Instructors were mainly replying to students' messages with (49/120 messages) or without (54/120 messages) proposing another action.CONCLUSIONS:
Online discussion boards were found to be successful pedagogical tools in dental education. Further development of instructor-led discussion approach is needed to promote higher level learning and collaborative thinking.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Prosthodontics
/
Computer-Assisted Instruction
/
Education, Distance
/
Internet
/
Education, Dental
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Dent Educ
Journal subject:
EDUCACAO
/
ODONTOLOGIA
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Saudi Arabia