Evaluation of a digital learning object (DLO) to support the learning process in radiographic dental diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
Studies have shown that inappropriate therapeutic strategies may be adopted if crown and root changes are misdiagnosed, potentially leading to undesirable consequences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate a digital learning object, developed to improve skills in diagnosing radiographic dental changes.


METHODS
The object was developed using the Visual Basic Application (VBA) software and evaluated by 62 undergraduate students (male: 24 and female: 38) taking an imaging diagnosis course. Participants were divided in two groups: test group, which used the object and control group, which attended conventional classes. After 3 weeks, students answered a 10-question test and took a practice test to diagnose 20 changes in periapical radiographs.


RESULTS
The results show that test group performed better that control group in both tests, with statistically significant difference (P = 0.004 and 0.003, respectively). In overall, female students were better than male students. Specific aspects of object usability were assessed using a structured questionnaire based on the System Usability Scale (SUS), with a score of 90.5 and 81.6 by male and female students, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in this study suggest that students who used the DLO performed better than those who used conventional methods. This suggests that the DLO may be a useful teaching tool for dentistry undergraduates, on distance learning courses and as a complementary tool in face-to-face teaching.
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
F H
FH
Busanello
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
P F
PF
da Silveira
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
G S
GS
Liedke
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
N A
NA
Arús
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
M B
MB
Vizzotto
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
H E D
HE
Silveira
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
H L D
HL
Silveira
D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education; D012984:Software
Computer-Assisted; Radiographic Image Interpretation; learning; radiology