Blended learning modules for lectures on oral and maxillofacial surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Dental Education
• Technology-Enhanced Learning

Background:

• Traditional lecture formats are increasingly supplemented by new teaching methods in German universities.
• Dental schools have been slow to adopt these innovative pedagogical approaches.
• Student demand for modern, technology-integrated learning experiences in dental education is growing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement student-requested teaching methods in dental education.
• To design and evaluate a blended learning module for oral and maxillofacial surgery lectures.
• To compare student satisfaction and engagement with traditional lectures versus a blended learning approach.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative and qualitative needs analysis in 2012.
• Development and integration of a blended learning module into oral and maxillofacial surgery lectures.
• Comparative evaluation of lectures in 2012 and 2017 using questionnaires and two-sample z-test.

Main Results:

• Students reported high satisfaction with the blended learning approach.
• Surgical videos, integrated into lectures and the module, significantly improved understanding of surgical techniques.
• The online learning program was highly utilized and preferred by students.

Conclusions:

• Blended learning effectively meets the needs of contemporary dental students.
• Integrating technology, such as surgical videos and online platforms, transforms lectures into engaging, sustainable learning experiences.
• This approach modernizes dental education and enhances student comprehension of complex surgical procedures.