First-Year Learners' Preferred Delivery of Preclinical Operative Demonstrations: A Pilot Study Comparing Two Styles...

This mixed-methods pilot study evaluated first-year dental learners' perceptions of two styles of operative video demonstrations.

First-year learners enrolled in the preclinical operative course were exposed to two styles of demonstration videos-a time-lapse, technical style video (Instructional) and a real-time, charismatic style video (Operator). Learner perceptions of the videos as well as their preferred mode of delivery of procedural demonstrations were assessed via a survey instrument that included Likert Scale responses, rankings, and a comments section.

With an 86% response rate, the majority of learners agreed that the video demonstrations in general were of good quality, should be available for every preclinical exercise in all practical courses, improved preparation for preclinical sessions, improved practice sessions, and improved psychomotor skills. The majority of learners preferred the course demonstration videos in general over actual live demonstrations and over other non-course videos they viewed online. However, students did not express a clear preference for one style of course video over another, and strongly advocated for the following mode of delivery: use of the Operator video as preparation for preclinical lab, followed by in-lab review with the Instructional video, followed by a live demonstration. Students strongly supported the continued development of videos in both styles as essential adjuncts to live demonstrations.

First-year dental learners clearly preferred the demonstration videos in general to live demonstrations alone and to other non-course videos viewed online and advocated for the use of both Operator and Instructional styles as essential adjuncts to live demonstrations.