Impact of internet supported dental education: Initial outcomes in a study sample

Abstract

The aim of this preliminary mixed method study was to understand dental students' thoughts on internet supported learning environment (ISLE) and to investigate its' impact on their academic success. The research was designed to enroll the students from the 7th semester of School of Dentistry. The lecturer taught dental students for four hours (within four weeks) on the topics of "anamnesis, extraoral and intraoral examination." Voluntary twenty-four students participated actively to the ISLE. During the evaluation phase, data were collected by using open-ended questionnaire, instructor's observation, students' evaluation forms and exam results. According to the Open-ended questionnaire, 90% of the participating students mentioned e-learning experience positively affected their success; 55% of the students stated that dental courses can be taught online. According to students' evaluation form, the highest mean score was granted to the instructor of the course (4.6/5), followed by the learning environment (4.1/5) and the materials (3.7/5). There was a significant difference between the grades granted to the instructor and materials; students thought the instructor was more important than the teaching materials (p<0.05). It was concluded that ISLE supported by PBL increased the students' satisfaction, positive learning environment and academic success.