Effectiveness of an audience response system on orthodontic knowledge retention of undergraduate dental students--a randomised control trial.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of an audience response system (ARS) on knowledge retention of dental students and to gauge student perceptions of using the ARS.

DESIGN

Randomised control study.

SETTING

School of Dentistry, Cardiff University.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy four second-year dental students were stratified by gender and randomised anonymously to one of two groups.

METHODS

One group received a lecture on orthodontic terminology and diagnosis in a traditional didactic format and the other received the same lecture integrated with ARS slides. Students completed an assessment of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) scored out of 20, before and immediately after the lecture. Students were also asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire on their perceptions of ARS.

RESULTS

Both groups had statistically significant increases in MCQ scores post-lecture (ARS mean increase 3.6 SD2.0, 95% CI 2.2-3.5 and Didactic mean increase 2.9 SD2.3, 95% CI 2.8-4.3). A mixed-design analysis of variance showed that ARS led to an improved MCQ score (by 0.8 or 25%) compared to the didactic group, although this effect was not significant (P = 0.15). The effect of gender at baseline (P = 0.49), post-lecture (P = 0.73) and increase in MCQ score split by group (P = 0.46) was also not significant. Students reported that the ARS was easy to use, helped them engage with the lecture and encouraged them to work harder.

CONCLUSION

The ARS did not lead to a significant increase in short-term orthodontic knowledge recall of students compared with didactic teaching. However, the use of ARS within orthodontic teaching could make lectures more interactive and engaging.