Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
A Comparison of Cognitive Presence in Asynchronous and Synchronous Discussions in an Online Dental Hygiene Course
Abstract:
Purpose: Many dental hygiene degree completion (34) and graduate (14) programs offer the majority or all of their course offerings online. While the concept of real-time video web-conferencing has been realized through advances in technology, only 5% of dental hygiene programs report utilizing real-time technologies. The purpose of this study was to use the Community of Inquiry Framework to observe and compare the development of cognitive presence and critical thinking between two different methods of online discussion; asynchronous discussion boards and synchronous video web-conferences.Methods: Students in one online course were divided into two groups. Each week one group completed the course discussion questions through an asynchronous discussion board while the other group completed the same discussion questions via a synchronous video web-conference. Data were recorded and analyzed to compare total indicators of cognitive presence during the two discussion sessions, as well as comparing the various levels of cognitive presence.Results: A total of 117 messages were recorded in the asynchronous discussion sessions and 260 messages in the synchronous discussion sessions. The synchronous video web-conferences achieved significantly more total cognitive presence than the asynchronous discussions (p=0.005). Furthermore, the synchronous discussions reached the highest phase of cognitive presence, the resolution phase, in 10.19% of the messages, while the asynchronous discussions reached the resolution phase significantly less often at 0.85% (p=0.005).Conclusions: This study suggests that synchronous video web-conference in online discussions may create higher levels of cognitive presence in an online course. Higher levels of cognitive presence found in synchronous video web-conferencing may foster critical thinking skills in degree completion and graduate dental hygiene online courses.
More Related Videos
13:44Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
10:43Eye-tracking Technology and Data-mining Techniques used for a Behavioral Analysis of Adults engaged in Learning Processes
Published on: June 10, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process I: Assessment and Diagnosis
The nursing process considers the patient's emotional and physical well-being. The process can be repeated or stopped at any point if judged essential. Assessment is the first step in the nursing...
Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data...
Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
Cognitive Dissonance