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Evaluation of a web‐based application versus conventional instruction in the undergraduate curriculum of fixed prosthodontics
Author(s) -
Ramseier C. A.,
Ivanovic A.,
Woermann U.,
Mattheos N.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1600-0579
pISSN - 1396-5883
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2012.00748.x
Subject(s) - test (biology) , curriculum , medicine , medical education , psychology , dentistry , pedagogy , paleontology , biology
Aims: The present study aims to investigate the implications of web‐based delivery of identical learning content for time efficiency and students’ performance, as compared to conventional textbook resources. Materials and methods: Two cohorts of third year undergraduate dental students in 2003 ( n = 35) and 2006 ( n = 32) completed the study. Following a baseline pre‐test, the students were divided into two groups and given 3 weeks for studying identical content using a web‐based application (group A) or a conventional paper manuscript (group B). Post‐test, end of semester examination and a final retention test were taken. Test scores and studying time was registered for both cohorts in 2003 and 2006. Results: Group A and B knowledge gain was highly significant between the average per cent scores from pre‐test, post‐test and end of semester examination in both cohorts in 2003 and 2006 ( P < 0.005). Group A spent 1.6× (2003) to 2.6× (2006) less time studying than group B. The average total studying time recorded for group B was 5.1 h using 6.2 learning sessions in 2003 and 3.5 h using 4.4 sessions in 2006. With group A, significantly less time was measured for studying through web‐based content using an average of 2.5 h over 4.4 learning sessions in 2003 and 1.5 h added over three sessions in 2006. Conclusions: Web‐based delivery of identical content results in less overall studying time as compared to textbook delivery. These results appear independent of the students’ own preference of the learning medium.