A Hypertext tutorial for teaching cephalometrics

Hypertext is a non-linear method of text presentation. It necessitates the use of a computer to store data as a series of nodes that can be called up in any desired sequence and, as such, is a new form of discovery-based learning. This paper describes a Hypertext tutorial in cephalometrics and its subsequent testing on first-year clinical dental students. Students were divided into two groups: the first received a conventional lecture; the second used the Hypertext tutorial. Testing was by means of conventional multiple choice questions. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups, although the computer tutor was shown more consistently to improve the knowledge of the students than did the conventional lecture. Most students who used the computer program found it enjoyable, but time consuming; less than half found it easy to follow.