Evaluation of technology‐based learning by dental students during the pandemic outbreak of Corona virus disease 2019

Abstract

Introduction

Although technology‐based learning (TB‐learning) has been accepted as an efficient educational tool in the field of dentistry, evaluation of TB‐learning in non‐prepared situations such as pandemics has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate different aspects of TB‐learning among undergraduate dental students during the pandemic outbreak of COVID‐19.

Materials and methods

Dental students in selected Iraqi universities (University of Baghdad, University of Sulaimani, and Dijlah University College) were invited to join the study. A questionnaire was created using a Google platform and answered by students. Satisfaction and attitude toward TB‐learning plus total evaluation scores for lecturers were examined.

Results

A total of 832 out of 1800 dental students participated in the study. The majority of participants have basic (40.7%) and intermediate (47.5%) computer skills and more than half of them lack any experience in TB‐learning. The overall satisfaction and positive attitude toward TB‐learning was less than 50%. Students at final grade, with advanced computer skills and TB‐learning experience showed higher satisfaction (OR: 3.031, 2.876, 3.644, respectively) and a more positive attitude (OR: 3.172, 3.035, 3.477, respectively) toward TB‐learning than those at earlier grades. Total evaluation scores for lecturers were higher among females (11.5± 5.8) than males (9.9± 7.2) as well as among participants at final grade (14.0± 6.2), with advanced computer skills (13.8± 6.1), and TB‐learning experience (16.2± 6.0).

Conclusions

Dental students demonstrated low‐moderate satisfaction and positive attitude toward TB‐learning and the quality of material presented to them. Integrating TB‐learning into the dental education curriculum is an essential step in enhancing the acceptance of TB‐learning in the future.