Learning Needs: Web-Based System for Tracking PBL Curriculum Content

Methods: Within a traditional dental program, curriculum content is relatively easy to track and measure. Course A meets so many hours a trimester and is made up of a finite set of elements, objectives and competencies that provide a seamless description of material delivered.

We can declare categorically that our graduating dentists have received so much perio instruction, so much microbiology, so much pharmacology, etc., etc.

Mapping PBL content is more challenging. Students work in small teams. They are presented with simulated cases and patient encounters. They collaborate to describe major and minor learning needs; then pursue sources and content to satisfy those needs.

At the end of the day, how can we accurately portray content delivered?

We have just deployed a web-based application to track and measure material covered. This application is dynamically linked to database containing Dental Examination Specifications outlined by National Boards, Parts I and II. At the conclusion of each case, student from each group records Learning Needs of that group. Using a simple point-and-click interface, he or she maps the content details to National Board specifications.

Results: At the end of our first week we were able to collect a large body of data from 18 participating groups. Students were able to compare material covered with their colleagues. Faculty were able to evaluate specifics of “actual” content versus “intended” content.

Conclusions: At the end of one year, we will have mapped our entire repertoire of PBL cases and use it as core data for ongoing case revision. We are scheduled for ADA Accreditation Site Visit in Spring 2008. By that time we expect our Web-Based Learning Needs application to be major component of an ongoing and vital curriculum management plan.