Early Childhood Oral Health learning module

Early childhood oral health management skills are the focus of an online learning module from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The module Early childhood oral health: case studies from general practice is available on the gplearning website (www.racgp.org.au ) and for free on the Clin-ed website (www.clined.com.au). For further information on the NSW Early Childhood Oral Health Program contact Tanya Schinkewitsch at the Centre for Oral Health Strategy, click the above link for contact details.

Self-guided instructional material: Fixed Partial Denture

Developed by Dr Ranier M. Adarve from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Fixed Partial Denture is a self-contained learning material designed primarily for dental students in preclinical programs as they learn and develop their skills in tooth preparation for fixed partial denture. It contains the outline of the step by step procedures as well as photos that easily guide learners as they practice the skill. It also provides learners information regarding the clinical implications of the procedure, thereby providing context and relevance. The use of this material is most beneficial for students who are new to the procedure, and want to learn at their own pace. It is also designed for faculty members to use the material to augment their teaching resources for students. Both student and faculty can download and print the material and use as a guide in learning fixed partial denture preparation. (Source: MedEdPORTAL, accessed on 13/06/2011)

Crown preparation

This resource is an online course demo developed by Ronald Kaiser and Heiko Spallek at Temple University, School of Dentistry. It is designed to provide dental students with fundamental didactic and technical knowledge to begin preclinical skill development for full crown preparations. The course incorporates a variety of interactive features including images which allow students to examine the dimensions and contours of the burs in comparison to the dimensions and the shape of the crown preparation. QuickDraw 3D allows the direct manipulation of 3D graphical models by the users. (Source: MedEdPORTAL, accessed on 14/02/2011)

Cast Post and Core Restoration

This resource is a self guided instructional material in fabrication of cast post and core by Ranier M. Adarve, DMD, MS, MHPE from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. It is designed to assist learners through the detailed step by step instructions of the procedure. In this resource, two techniques are demonstrated: (1) Direct fabrication and the (2) Indirect fabrication of the post and core pattern . Learners can use this resource for self-paced learning while Faculty can utilize this resource to augment lectures and discussions. (Source: MedEdPORTAL, accessed on 17/01/2011)

You have never seen dental anatomy & occlusion like this before

Electronic atlas of human occlusion & the TMJ /produced by eHuman Digital Anatomy, Brown & Herbranson Imaging in association with Loma Linda University. [Portula Valley, CA] : Brown & Herbranson c2008.

Please note: Due to licence restrictions this DVD atlas can only be accessed in the Dentistry Library at SDH.

"This state-of-the-art TMJ/Occlusion Atlas is a ground-breaking resource combining high-quality computer models of the temporomandibular joint with 3-D interactive models and movies of mandibular movement and occlusal relationships. Detailed anatomy of the TMJ along with its unique features, muscles of mastication, ligaments, innervation and blood supply are displayed in animations based on real anatomy and in dissection images with annotations. Anatomically precise illustrations are displayed with the state-of-the-art viewing and interaction protocols. The Atlas also includes a number of review and self-assessment modules for students."

(Source: http://www.ehuman.com/products/tmj-occlusion-atlas, accessed on 21/08/09)

The top 10 E-learning tools

The UK Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies (C4LPT) recently asked e-learning experts from around the world to list their top 10 tools. 79 experts have responded so far, with FireFox being the top pick. To view the complete list, go to the top 10 favourite tools.

They have also compiled a learning toolbox, of both personal and producers toolsets. The top items in the personal toolset are:

1. Web browser: Firefox
2. Calendar: Google Calendar
3. RSS Reader: Google Reader
4. Email: Gmail
5. Start Page: iGoogle
6. Social bookmarking tool: del.icio.us
7. Podcast/music player: iTunes
8. PDF Reader: Adobe reader
9. Social network site: Facebook
10. Instant Messenger: Skype
11. Useful resource site: Google search
12. Desktop search/organiser: Google Desktop

This is just the main list, and the site also suggest alternatives. Personally, I would use 6 of the services on the main list, and 10 on the alternatives, but what I find is that I tend to try tools out, and retain or discard them depending on how useful they are and how well they fit into my workflow.

C4LPT have also developed a producer's toolkit, which will be of more use to the e-learning designer who wants to know what else is available for their use. Go to the learning toolbox to find out more.

E-Learning 3.0 - adding the 3rd dimension to Dentistry

CyberDenT is an exciting community site for dental e-learning concepts and projects. You will find many examples of e-learning applied to dentistry, such as interactive models of teeth and periodontic procedures.

The example below is a demonstration of a procedure used for inserting a dental implant, and is just one of many resources presented on the site.

[Image: elearning 3.0 - adding the 3rd dimension : vlearning, viewed: 28/06/07 <http://www.cyberdent.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&itemid=42>]

The site includes innovate dental training concepts across a wide range of dental disciplines. Particularly interesting is the use of what CyberDent calls bleeding edge 3D PDF which includes innovative uses of animation and tests to enhance the elearning experience. Acrobat 8 will be required to produce projects such as these. Given the current focus on e-learning in the University this is a site that the Faculty should be monitoring as it investigates e-learning opportunities.