The tablet computer’s impact on learning and National Dental Examination scores in orthodontics - a mixed-method research

BACKGROUND: To assess the educational impact of a one-to-one tablet PC (TPC) program by analysing university students’ learning skills and related scores of the National Dental Examination (NDE) in Germany. METHODS: The study design was a mixed-method approach consisting of a survey and a comparison of NDE scores. Students received a loaned non-preloaded and non-managed TPC during three consecutive orthodontic semesters. Usability and learning benefits in clinical and nonclinical settings were assessed by a survey. After the participating students had passed the NDE in a standard period of study, their grades were compared with those of students from the semester prior to TPC introduction. RESULTS: One hundred and eight students (36 females and 72 males) received an TPC and participated in the survey. Of these, 53 passed the NDE in a standard period of study. 64 students from the semester before TPC introduction, who passed in the regular period of study, were chosen as non-TPC control group. Survey: Students’ expectations concerning TPC benefits increased significantly after TPC usage (P = 0.000). TPCs were rated more useful for learning at places outside the clinic setting than for inside (P = 0.000). PDFs and communication applications were used more in nonclinical settings (P = 0.008 and 0.000, respectively). NDE scores: Concerning the examination parts relating to theoretical knowledge and clinical knowledge, students with full TPC use achieved higher scores than did those without TPC use (P = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). Scores for manual skills showed no differences, neither for students with and without TPC, nor within the semester after TPC introduction (P = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to analyse a one-to-one TPC program in the orthodontic curriculum and measure the effect of TPC usage on NDE scores. Students’ expectations concerning the TPC benefit in the orthodontic curriculum improved significantly after using the devices. We have shown that NDE scores in theoretical knowledge increased significantly after TPC deployment whereas scores in motor skills remained unchanged. The results suggest that the TPC has a positive learning effect on theoretical knowledge in orthodontics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Permission to conduct this study was given by the Ethics Committee of the Department of Medicine of the University of Münster, Germany (2012-12-13).