Τίτλος:
Potential of information technology in dental education
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
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.
Συγγραφείς:
Mattheos, N.
Stefanovic, N.
Apse, P.
Attstrom, R. and
Buchanan, J.
Brown, P.
Camilleri, A.
Care, R.
Fabrikant,
E.
Gundersen, S.
Honkala, S.
Johnson, L.
Jonas, I. and
Kavadella, A.
Moreira, J.
Peroz, I.
Perryer, D. G. and
Seemann, R.
Tansy, M.
Thomas, H. F.
Tsuruta, J.
Uribe,
S.
Urtane, I.
Walsh, T. F.
Zimmerman, J.
Walmsley, A. D.
Περιοδικό:
European Journal of Dental Education
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
computer-assisted instruction; dental education; implementation;
information technology
DOI:
10.1111/j.1600-0579.2007.00483.x
