Preferred mode of teaching – For attitude, aptitude and effectiveness of dental students

Abstract

IntroductionThe study was designed to assess perception of dental students towards various teaching aids used for providing study method. A comparison between traditional methods of teaching such as blackboard and chalk with lecture delivery using projectors and transparencies and PowerPoint presentation. Materials and methodFirst year dental students were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding their perception towards various study method delivery systems. The students were also interviewed after analysis of result. ResultsMajority of dental students (42%) preferred blackboard and chalk whereas 31% preferred PowerPoint presentations and only 26% preferred projectors and transparencies. DiscussionThe students preferred lectures over PowerPoint presentations; however, there was no clear cut demarcation as to superiority of any method. Main preference was interaction with teacher as came out in interview with students. Thus it highlights that in hands of a trained teacher any prop is useful. It also highlights the need for training teachers to better use recent advances in technologies to better deliver and further motivate students.