(PO-010) Comparison of the Effectiveness of Echo360 and E-learning Module

Author: Bo Chao, Chao, M.S. – Senior dental student, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
Author: Safia Rauf, DDS candidate* – Senior dental student, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
Author: Sung K. Kim, D.D.S. – Associate Professor & Director of Imaging Service, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry
Submitter: Bo Chao, Chao, M.S. – Senior dental student, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry

Objectives:  There is a large amount of literature demonstrating the effectiveness of electronic teachings compared to the traditional teaching methods, however, there is a lack of studies comparing different electronic teaching methods against one another. This study investigated the effectiveness of two electronic teaching methods, Echo360 and E-module, on developing skills of determining dental age from panoramic radiographs.  

Methods:  IRB #0514-20-EX was obtained. The teaching content of tooth development and eruption on panoramic radiographs was captured as an Echo360 recording or developed into an E-module. The involved dental students (Nf44) were randomly divided into two groups. The participants were asked to take a pre-quiz, watch the Echo360 lecture or complete the E-module according to the group assignment, take a post-quiz within 48h, and follow up with a retention quiz 8 weeks later. The results of the pre-quiz, post-quiz, and retention quiz were compared between and within the two groups. Additionally, the quiz scores were compared against the time it took for the students to complete the quizzes. 

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in scores between Echo360 and E-Module groups. However, the average score for post-test collected from both groups is 20.28 points (out of 100 possible points) higher than the pre-quiz (P < 0.05), and the average for retention test score is 15.27 points higher than the pre-quiz (P < 0.05). No correlation/significant difference was noted between the quiz scores and the time it took to complete the quizzes (P >0.05). 

Conclusion: E-Module teaches as effectively as Ech360 does on the topic of interpreting panoramic radiographs for dental age. Both teaching methods improved the students' baseline knowledge and allowed for the retention of the information 8 weeks after the initial learning experience.