title: Application of distance learning to interactive seminar instruction in orthodontic residency programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A series of experiments involving 3 orthodontic departments has shown that distance learning can be acceptable to residents and effective in teaching concepts that are fundamental to orthodontic practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Residents in each department participated in distance seminars, clinical conferences, and clinical seminars via high-speed Internet connections. The acceptability of this form of instruction was judged from evaluation forms completed by the residents. Its effectiveness was judged from pretests and posttests on the seminar topics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The improvement from pretest to posttest scores after observing a sequence of distance seminars was similar to that with direct instruction. Orthodontic residents rated the educational experiences positively. Live participation in seminars via video conferencing was preferred to live observation or later observation of a recording, but observation provided similar improvement in test scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acceptability of the distance seminars appeared to be influenced by the instructor's personality and teaching style in facilitating interaction, the seminar subject, the residents' comfort level in dealing with this technology, and the sequence for interaction vs observation. Further development of recorded seminars with live follow-up discussions has the potential to supplement instruction in graduate orthodontic programs and help with the impending shortage of experienced full-time orthodontic faculty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bednar
authors.forename: Wallace M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hannum
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firestone
authors.forename: Anibal M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Proffit
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D020375:Education, Distance; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007629:Kentucky; D016014:Linear Models; D017145:Models, Educational; D009657:North Carolina; D009820:Ohio; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049269:Videoconferencing