Document Detail


Computer literacy and attitudes of dental students and staff at the University of the West Indies Dental School.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19630937     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
INTRODUCTION: The University of the West Indies (UWI) Dental School is planning to implement computer-based information systems to manage student and patient data. In order to measure the acceptance of the proposed implementation and to determine the degree of training that would be required, a survey was undertaken of the computer literacy and attitude of all staff and students. METHODOLOGY: Data were collected via 230 questionnaires from all staff and students. RESULTS: A 78% response rate was obtained. The computer literacy of the majority of respondents was ranked as 'more than adequate' compared to other European Dental Schools. Respondents < 50 years had significantly higher computer literacy scores than older age groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, respondents who owned an email address, a computer, or were members of online social networking sites had significantly higher computer literacy scores than those who did not (P < 0.05). Sex, nationality and whether the respondent was student/staff were not significant factors. Most respondents felt that computer literacy should be a part of every modern undergraduate curriculum; that computer assisted learning applications and web-based learning activity could effectively supplement the traditional undergraduate curriculum and that a suitable information system would improve the efficiency in the school's management of students, teaching and clinics. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a computer-based information system is likely to have widespread acceptance among students and staff at the UWI Dental School. The computer literacy of the students and staff are on par with those of schools in the US and Europe.
Authors:
W Smith; S Bedayse; S L Lalwah; A Paryag
Related Documents :
2914027 - Software that works in school settings. a framework for choosing the right program.
15608047 - Raxml-iii: a fast program for maximum likelihood-based inference of large phylogenetic ...
16869377 - Breaking the hype cycle: using the computer effectively with learners with intellectual...
2706947 - A computer program in basic for estimation of ed50 and ld50.
16329017 - Virtual reality colonoscopy simulation: a compulsory practice for the future colonoscop...
12917847 - The effects of balance training and high-intensity resistance training on persons with ...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe     Volume:  13     ISSN:  1600-0579     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur J Dent Educ     Publication Date:  2009 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-07-27     Completed Date:  2009-10-29     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9712132     Medline TA:  Eur J Dent Educ     Country:  Denmark    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  179-83     Citation Subset:  D    
Affiliation:
School of Dentistry, The University of the West Indies, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. william.smith@sta.uwi.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Attitude to Computers*
Computer-Assisted Instruction*
Education, Dental / methods*
Faculty, Dental*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Questionnaires
Schools, Dental
Students, Dental / psychology*
Sweden
West Indies

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Implementing digital technology to enhance student learning of pathology.
Next Document:  Patient satisfaction relating to implant treatment by undergraduate and postgraduate dental students...