title: Introduction of e-learning in dental radiology reveals significantly improved results in final examination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because a traditionally instructed dental radiology lecture course is very time-consuming and labour-intensive, online courseware, including an interactive-learning module, was implemented to support the lectures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of students who have worked with web-based courseware as well as the effect on their results in final examinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Users (n(3+4)=138) had access to the e-program from any networked computer at any time. Two groups (n(3)=71, n(4)=67) had to pass a final exam after using the e-course. Results were compared with two groups (n(1)=42, n(2)=48) who had studied the same content by attending traditional lectures. In addition a survey of the students was statistically evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the respondents reported a positive attitude towards e-learning and would have appreciated more access to computer-assisted instruction. Two years after initiating the e-course the failure rate in the final examination dropped significantly, from 40% to less than 2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The very positive response to the e-program and improved test scores demonstrated the effectiveness of our e-course as a learning aid. Interactive modules in step with clinical practice provided learning that is not achieved by traditional teaching methods alone. To what extent staff savings are possible is part of a further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. meckfessel.sandra@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meckfessel
authors.forename: Constantin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stühmer
authors.forename: Kai-Hendrik
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bormann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kupka
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behrends
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matthies
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vaske
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stiesch
authors.forename: Nils-Claudius
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Gellrich
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rücker
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006283:Health Physics / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019212:Multimedia; D009862:Online Systems; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging