IADR Abstract Archives

Evaluation of a web tool (Epistle) to promote collaborative elearning

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an innovative approach developed in the School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield to promote Evidence and Problem based Inter-Professional Learning through a web-based system (EPISTLE). The system (developed by the authors of this paper) allows for a highly interactive, structured way of learning, sharing and collaborating on educational content, delivered and edited online, asynchronously.

Methods: A total of 70 students from the 3rd Year BDS course were presented with a problem scenario along with relevant supporting material in the form of images, x-rays, policy documents etc. The students were divided into random groups of 7 and the discussions were structured in phases. Five Semi-Structured interviews and Nominal Group evaluation technique (two groups with 7 in each) was used to collect student feedback on the use and effectiveness of the system.

Results: The nominal group data revealed that the students preferred the structured nature of the EPISTLE system over conventional threaded discussions boards. The data from the interviews revealed that the students were putting in extra effort in their contributions to the discussion to secure the tokens from their peers. Overall the students felt that the system will be useful to them in treatment planning scenarios.

Conclusion: The evaluation shows that the development process has resulted in the generation of a novel method for motivating, tracking and managing online discussion: EPISTLE tokens. This protocol is also the method by which the contribution of the students will be ranked and collated from the postings (peer reviewed) to produce the final case report (The EPISTLE)


Continental European and Israeli Divisions Meeting
2007 Continental European and Israeli Divisions Meeting (Thessaloniki, Greece)
Thessaloniki, Greece
2007
86
Scientific Groups
  • Chatterjee, Arunangsu  ( University of Sheffield, Sheffield, N/A, United Kingdom )
  • Stokes, C.w.  ( University of Sheffield, Sheffield, N/A, England, Uk )
  • Cannavina, G.  ( Adult Dental Care Department, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, N/A, England, Uk )
    • Poster Discussion Session
    Health Services Research - Education Research
    09/27/2007