Evaluation of Web-Based Interactive Instruction in Intraoral and Panoramic Radiographic Anatomy

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of Web-based interactive modules in the instruction of dental hygiene students on intraoral and panoramic radiographic landmarks. The experimental group studied these landmarks as presented on interactive Web-based modules instead of in classroom presentations. The control group (the previous year's class) received instruction in the traditional classroom format. The outcomes measures included quizzes, examinations and an in-class project. Independent samples t-tests compared the scores of the two groups. A survey was administered to the experimental group to determine their perceptions of instruction with the modules. There was no significant difference in scores between the two groups on the project (p = .926) or the intraoral quiz and exam scores (p = .1 22), but the experimental group scored significantly lower on the panoramic outcomes (p = .039). Only 26% of the students preferred computer-assisted instruction to classroom instruction. The narration and interactive quizzes in the intraoral module may have contributed to the similar performance of the experimental and control groups, while their absence may have adversely affected the effectiveness of the panoramic module.