Key Points
-
There is an increasing use of information technology in dental education, for education and administrative purposes. Developments require to be further subjected to trial and evaluation.
-
An understanding of the learner and the process whereby instruction is organised is critical for the successful implementation of information-technology based training and learning.
-
The development of information technology can be constrained by cost, and lack of political will and support.
Abstract
The use of information technology in dental education is continually increasing. In this article, IT is defined, and its uses in teaching and learning explored. Examples of the appropriateness of multimedia teaching in dental education are given. Successful multimedia teaching, especially in clinical settings, relies on the proper use of IT and an implementation strategy. The applications of IT to curriculum development, computer-assisted learning (CAL), educational administration, dental practice, hospital administration, and clinical research are also considered.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Evidence-based medicine: a new approach to teaching and practice of medicine. J Am Med Assoc 1992; 268: 12–17.
Richards D, Lawrence A . Evidence-based dentistry. Br Dent J 1995; 179: 270–273.
Andrew W F . Applied information technology: a clinical perspective. Comput Nur 1995; 13: 38–40.
Clark R E . Reconsidering research on learning from media. Rev Educ Res 1983; 53: 445–459.
Laurillard D . Rethinking university teaching; a framework for the effective use of educational technology. pp 159–161; 164–180; 210–256. London and New York: Routledge, 1993.
Clark R E, Salmonon G . Media in teaching. In Wittrock M (ed) Handbook of research on teaching. 3rd ed. pp 464–478. New York: MacMillian, 1996.
Cohen P A, Forde E . A survey of instructional technology in dental education. J Dent Educ 1992; 56: 123–127.
Gibbon S Y . Learning and instruction in the information age. In White M A (ed) What curriculum for the information age? Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erbaum Associates, USA, 1987.
Tedeco L A . Responding to educational challenges with problem-based learning and information technology. J Dent Educ 1990; 54: 544–547.
Crall J J . Informatics futures in dental education and research: quality assurance. J Dent Educ 1991; 55: 257–261.
Heathfield H A, Wyatt J . The road to professionalism in medical informatics: a proposal for debate. Meth Inform Med 1995; 34: 426–423.
Greenwood S R, Grigg P A, Vowles R V, Stephens C D . Clinical informatics and the dental curriculum: a review of the impact of informatics in dental care, its implications for dental education. Eur J Dent Educ 1997; 1: 153–161.
Hasman A, Sosa M . Education and training of health informatics in Europe. Technology and Health Care 1994; 2: 61–70.
Eisner J . Computer talk. Prospects for a new form of communication in the profession. Can Dent Assoc J 1987; 53: 108–111.
Eisner J . Instructional and information technology initiatives: the potential for delivery. J Dent Educ 1991; 56: 112–116.
Smales F . Personal communication, 1996.
Sally J J . The national and international dimensions of dental informatics. J Dent Educ 1990; 54: 599–600.
Johnson L A . Tools for technology assisted learning: teaching problem-solving skills with patient simulations. In Abbey L M, Zimmerman J L (ed) Dental informatics: integrating technology into the dental environment. pp. 215–248. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1992.
Institute of Medicine. Dental education at the crossroads: challenges and change. pp 25–71, 99–100. Washington: National Academy Press, 1995.
Tobin J M . Evaluation and research frontier: what do we need to know? In Roberts J M, Keough E M (ed) Why the information highway? Lessions from open and distance learning. pp 201–225. Toronto, Trifolium Books, 1995.
Yip H K, Barnes I E . Learning and dental education. Eur J Dent Educ 1997; 1: 54–60.
Aldred M J, Aldred S E, Elliott R G, Seymour G J . Towards a resolution of the dilemma of assessment in problem-based learning. Proceeding of the 6th Annual Meeting of the South East Asia Association for Dental Education. 1995; 26–27.
Preston J D . The practice of dentistry, year 2005: a vision. J Dent Educ 1996; 60: 68–75.
Rudin J L . Computers in dentistry. Compendium 1993; 16: 866–872.
Norman J N et al. Telematics in undergraduate teaching. Med Educ 1995; 29: 403–406.
Eisner J . The developing electronic curriculum consortium. J Dent Educ 1990; 54: 598–599.
Eklund S A . Is it time for CONFER, a computer-based conference for dental public health? J Public Health 1988; 52: 525–529.
Weintraub J A, Eklund S A . Development of a computer-based communication network for a dental speciality group. J Dent Educ 1988; 52: 525–529.
Lang W P . An application of computer conferencing in dental education. Int J Biomed Comput 1992; 31: 221–231.
Lang W P . Considering a dental electronic information resource (DEIR). Int J Biomed Comput 1994; 35: 219–230.
Soh G, Keng S B . Applications of computer technology in dentistry. Ann Acad Med 1990; 19: 720–723.
Tan J, Leung D, Tay P . The use of the internet in dentistry. Br Dent J 1997; 182: 191–194.
Grigg P, Stephens C D . Computer-assisted learning in dentistry: a review from the UK. J Dent 1998; 26: 387–395.
Eaton K A . CAL for general dental practitioners: an evaluation of the current scene. Healthcare computing 1994; May; 97–102.
Long A F, Mercer P E, Stephens C D, Grigg P . The evaluation of three computer-assisted learning packages for general dental practitioners. Br Dent J 1994; 177: 410–415.
Mercer P E, Ralph J P . Computer-assisted learning and the general dental practitioner. Br Dent J 1998; 184: 43–46.
Juniper R P . Re-accreditation, re-certification and the postgraduate database. Br Dent J 1998; 185: 94–97.
Fuller S, Braude R M, Florance V, Frisse M E . Managing information in the academic medical center: building an integrated information environment. Acad Med 1995; 70: 887–891.
Hill F M, Taylor W A . Total quality management in higher education. Int J Educ Manag 1991; 5: 4–9.
Aronow D B, Coltin K L . Information technology applications in quality assurance and quality improvement, part 1. Joint Commission J on Qual 1995; 19: 403–415.
Aronow D B, Coltin K L . Information technology applications in quality assurance and quality improvement, part II. J Qual Manag 1995; 19: 465–478.
Saunders I W, Preston A P . A model and a research agenda for total quality management. J Qual Manag 1994; 5: 169–184.
Severs M . Clinicians and information technology. J R Coll Phy Lond 1990; 24: 258–259.
Edwards W S, Morse P K, Mitchell L W . AVLINE: a search source for audiovisual instructional materials. J Dent Educ 1979; 43: 693–696.
Smales F C . Computers in dentistry. In Abott W, Barber B, Peel V J (ed) Information technology in health care. pp B2.7.11: 1–24. Essex: Longman, 1993.
Oliver R G . Student and staff opinion of electronic capture of data related to clinical activity. Eur J Dent Educ 1997; 1: 25–29.
Goddy G . Tertiary educators' perceptions of and attitudes toward emerging educational technologies. Higher Educ R&D 1998; 16: 343–356.
Osman L M, Muir A L . Computer skills and attitudes to computer-aided learning medical students. Med Educ 1994; 28: 381–385.
Chadwick R G . Basic IT skills of dental undergraduates: a case for supplementary tuition at university? Med Educ 1997; 19: 148–149.
Jones R B, Navin L M, Barrie J, Hillan E, Kinane D . Computer literacy among medical, nursing, dental and veterinary undergraduates. Med Educ 1991; 25: 191–195.
Pao M L, Grefsheim S F, Barclay M L, Wooliscroft J O, McQuillan M, Shipman B L . Factors affecting students' use of MEDLINE. Computers Biomed Res 1993; 26: 541–555.
Bright G R, Hall III P W . Information technology in medical education: the case western reserve university experience. J Am Med Assoc 1995; 273: 1064–1065.
Craig J F, Moreland E F . The technology assisted learning environment. In Abbey L M, Zimmerman J L (ed) Dental informatics: integrating technology into the dental environment. pp 179–200. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1992.
Boddy G . Tertiary educators' perceptions of and attitudes toward emerging educational technologies. Higher Educ Res Dev 1997; 16: 343–356.
Knirk F G, Christinaz D . Instructional technology adoption in the best adult training orgainsations. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Boston, USA, 1990.
Abbey L M . Some comments on the state of dental informatics. J Dent Educ 1981; 55: 647–648.
Schleyer T K L . How should dental informatics evolve? J Dent Educ 1996; 60: 291–295.
King P M, Russell Y M, Davis-Harrison D . Integrating technology into continuing professional education. Aust J Adult Comm Educ 1995; 35: 157–163.
Dodson A . Studying by simulation strikes chord. The Times Higher 1994, September: 16.
Cameron D A . The AADS strategic plan for dental informatics. J Dent Educ 1990; 54: 593–594.
Oblinger D G . Instruction to multimedia equipment. IAT Publications, 1993.
Oblinger D G . Multimedia across networks. IAT Publications, 1993.
Carotte P, Davis L, Duffin R, Griffiths A, Walsh T . The development of two computer assisted learning (CAL) packages within restorative dentistry. Computers in Teaching Initiative Centre for Medicine Update 1996; 7: 8–11.
IT and T Task Force. Where are we in this university? The University of Hong Kong, 1998 (also sited on http://www.hku.hk/caut).
Aiton J F . The world-wide web: an interface between research and teaching in bioinformatics. Disease Markers 1994; 12: 3–10.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Mr Jonathon Marsh, Centre for the Advancement of University Teaching, the University of Hong Kong and Dr Ian Hart, Director of Centre for Media Resources, the University of Hong Kong for helpful comments.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Refered Paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yip, H., Barnes, I. Information technology in dental education. Br Dent J 187, 327–332 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800271
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800271
This article is cited by
-
An assessment of student experiences and learning based on a novel undergraduate e-learning resource
British Dental Journal (2016)
