Adaptive e-learning platforms can improve student performance and engagement in dental education

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Histology
• Online Learning

Background:

• Normal tissue architecture knowledge is vital for dental graduates to identify and refer oral mucosal and jawbone abnormalities.
• Effective identification and referral impact patient management and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of online adaptive lessons on dental students' perceived and measured performance.
• To evaluate the influence of adaptive lessons on student motivation and perceptions in dental education.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method study involving first and third-year undergraduate dental students.
• Development and implementation of online adaptive histology lessons.
• Comparison of exam scores (experimental vs. control questions) and administration of a validated questionnaire on student attitudes.

Main Results:

• Students achieved significantly higher scores on exam questions related to adaptive lessons compared to control questions (p=0.01).
• A significantly greater proportion of students reported that adaptive lessons enhanced their subject knowledge (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Online adaptive lessons demonstrate substantial potential for boosting student engagement, motivation, and knowledge acquisition.
• These findings are particularly relevant given the shift to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic.