Developing Instructional Materials: An Independent Study Practicum for Dental Hygiene Students

Abstract

With the recent advancements in technology, dental hygiene students are learning didactic knowledge in a much different way. Platforms such as Blackboard allow students to learn and study core classroom materials at remote sites. The goals of this practicum were to create interactive instructional videos for junior dental hygiene students based on established teaching competencies, to engage students in peer mentoring, and to explore alternative career options for dental hygiene graduates. The key features of this practicum were for 3 (n=3) senior dental hygiene students to: understand the elements necessary to develop quality educational materials using current technology, experience the process of developing instructional and evaluation resources, and participate in classroom and clinic teaching activities using the resources they developed. The practicum defined content area, reviewed current literature for evidence to support the content of the videos, developed a logical sequence for teaching the instructional information, and collaborated with content experts to create instructional videos. Each video was evaluated by the practicum students, faculty mentors, and content experts and revisions were made. The practicum students produced teaching videos for cubical preparation, the intra- and extra-oral examination, wheelchair transfer techniques, use of the explorer, and use of the probe. The practicum students will evaluate their work by surveying the Dental Hygiene Class of 2008 to determine how instructional materials were used, frequency of use, and ways to improve in the future. The faculty mentors will evaluate the goals of the practicum at the end of the semester through a focus group session with the practicum students.