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Academic perceptions amongst educators towards eLearning tools in dental education.
Boris Handal1, Catherine Groenlund, Tania Gerzina
1ICT Education, School of Education, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia. boris.handal@nd.edu.au
International Dental Journal
|May 11, 2011
Summary
Academic educators find learning management systems (LMS) beneficial for dental education, citing flexibility and interactivity. However, many report low technological competence, highlighting a need for professional development in eLearning tools.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) and eLearning tools are increasingly integrated into higher education.
- Dental education faces unique challenges and opportunities in adopting digital learning environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore academic educators' perceptions of LMS and eLearning tools in dental education.
- To understand educators' views on the suitability of these tools for their teaching and learning needs.
- To identify the relationship between educators' professional background and their adoption of eLearning.
Main Methods:
- An explorative study design was employed.
- A survey was administered to 55 academic educators in dental education.
- The survey assessed perceptions of LMS/eLearning tools, considering professional training and teaching requirements.
Main Results:
- Educators generally perceived LMS (e.g., WebCT/Blackboard) as suitable for teaching and learning, valuing flexibility, interactivity, and accessibility.
- A significant number of educators reported a lack of technological competence.
- Current professional development initiatives for eLearning were examined in relation to educator feedback.
Conclusions:
- LMS and eLearning tools offer valuable pedagogical advantages in dental education.
- Addressing the identified gap in technological competence through targeted professional development is crucial for effective eLearning integration.
- Further research into optimizing eLearning adoption strategies in specialized fields like dentistry is warranted.
