Effects of mobile learning on writing panoramic radiograph reports: a quasi-experimental trial in dental education

BMC Medical Education

Chris Kramer¹  Kristian Kniha²  Frank Hölzle²  Florian Peters²  Anna Bock²  Dirk Elvers²  Ali Modabber²  Cord Spreckelsen³ 

[1] Department of Medical Informatics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany;Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany;Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer and Data Sciences, University Hospital Jena, Nachstraße 18, 07743, Jena, Germany;

关键词: Dental education;    Dental radiology;    Mobile application;    M-learning;    Mobile technology;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-021-02889-0

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn dentistry, the reporting of panoramic radiographs is particularly challenging, as many structures are depicted in one image and pathologies need to be identified completely. To enhance the learning process for these interpretations, the advantages of the increasingly popular education method of mobile learning could be used. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of learning to report panoramic radiographs using an application (app) on a mobile device.MethodsThe existing e-learning programme ‘PantoDict’ was further developed into a mobile app with a new training section. Participants of a dental radiology course were divided into two groups, one of which additionally had the chance to practise reporting panoramic radiographs using the app. A test to assess the knowledge gained was conducted at the end of the semester; the course and the app were also evaluated.ResultsThe group that used the app showed significantly better results in the test than the control group (p < 0.05). Although the app group approved a high satisfaction using the app as an additional supplement to the course, this did not result in a higher overall satisfaction with the course. Further, these students observed that the traditional face-to-face seminar could not be replaced by the app.ConclusionBy using the PantoDict app, students were offered better training options for writing reports on panoramic radiographs, which resulted in significantly better test results than the results of the control group. Therefore, the mobile app is a useful supplement to classical education formats within the context of a blended learning approach.

【 授权许可】

CC BY