Students' attitudes towards an on-line orthodontic learning resource.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to develop an online undergraduate orthodontic e-course and assess its success as a learning resource from the students' perspective.


METHODS
The orthodontic e-course was composed of six main components; modules, photo gallery, clinical consultations, glossary, reading lists and resources. Four undergraduate orthodontic lectures were converted into a web-based format using text, photographs, PowerPoint presentations and animations. The sample was comprised of sixty-four third year undergraduate dental students at Birmingham Dental School, UK. Their average age was 20.7 years (age range: from 20-25 years). A questionnaire was developed to assess; course design, course delivery, course outcome and the potential use of the e-course as a teaching method.


RESULTS
There were no significant difference between genders (P < 0.05). Overall, student responded very positive to positive for course design, course delivery and course outcome. The orthodontic e-course was still seen by most subjects (86%) as an adjunct and not a replacement of the traditional teaching methods. 34.4% of subjects felt that it should be as an optional supplement and 51.6% felt that it should be integrated with the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum. The significance of the program as a learning resource was reported to be the best aspect of the program.


CONCLUSIONS
Delivery of web-based material in the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum was seen by students as a significant learning resource which supplements traditional learning methods.
King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A L
AL
Linjawi
A M
AM
Hamdan
D G
DG
Perryer
A D
AD
Walmsley
K B
KB
Hill
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D020375:Education, Distance; D018961:Educational Technology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009862:Online Systems; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult