European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe
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The demands on faculty in terms of teaching are increasing, but until recently there has been little discussion of how faculty perceive that development as a teacher can be achieved or what approaches they use or suggest themselves. The aim of this study is to explore how teachers in dentistry and medicine understand development as teachers. For this study, 20 teachers were interviewed. ⋯ The differences in these three ways of understanding development as a teacher are shown in their different aims of development, what kind of knowledge that may be used and what methods they suggested. The way teachers understand what it means to develop as a teacher will affect their motivation for engaging in development activities, which activities they choose and their own aims of development. This means that awareness of teachers' understanding of development is central when developing support or faculty development activities for teachers.
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The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a blended course (a combined face-to-face and online instruction) on undergraduate oral radiology and evaluate it by comparing its educational effectiveness (derived from students' performance and answers to questionnaires) to a conventional course's. Students' attitudes concerning the blended methodology were also registered. ⋯ Blended learning is effective and well evaluated by dental students and can be implemented in undergraduate curriculum for teaching oral radiology.
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To determine how prepared for dental practice graduates from the integrated problem-based learning (PBL) dental undergraduate curriculum at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) perceive themselves to be and to identify factors associated with self-perceived preparedness. ⋯ Dental graduates of HKU's integrated PBL curriculum felt well prepared for the most fundamental aspects of dental practice. However, apparent deficiencies of training in orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery will need to be addressed by continuing education, postgraduate training and planning for the new 6-year undergraduate curriculum in 2012.
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Students' perceptions of the educational environment in a Greek Dental School, as measured by DREEM.
The aim of this study was to estimate the dental students' perceptions of their educational environment and to identify any differences related both to their gender and semester of studies. ⋯ Students' perceptions of the educational environment were reasonably positive, with no gender difference. However, some weaknesses were identified, particularly in the clinical years. Further research is needed to clarify appropriate interventions.
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Online discussion boards may enhance critical analysis and reflection, and promote the acquisition of knowledge. ⋯ 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.