1. Review of Online Course
DENT 805/HYG 455
Care of the Medically Complex Patient – WI 09

2. Overview of the courses
120 Dentistry students (D4s)
Many took boards this term
23 Dental hygiene students (DH4s)
1 credit hour; 7 weeks
Taught simultaneously, with slight differences in quiz questions

3. Course setup Weekly readings Weekly quizzes over readings
Weekly group case reports
Discussed and written in small groups of 6-8
Discussions were graded for participation
Written report with rotating principal author
Feedback given in video and written form; student did not utilize this – too long!
Final exam

4. Rationale for online delivery
Students engaged in boards, job interviews, etc
Moving to 8 week rotations next year
Free students from fixed course times

5. Results: best part of class

6. Sample responses
“It helped me study for boards without even realizing it.”
“I thought I learned a LOT more…vs. a classroom setting.”
“Being able to collaborate with my peers enabled me to …learn this vast amount of information easier.”
“Group reports were better than doing it as an individual, and the cases do help you understand the material.”

7. Results: needs improvement

8. Sample responses “The quizzes have were EXTREMELY frustrating.”
“Some questions on the quizzes were in direct conflict with other courses we have had earlier.”
“A more direct way to get the information than reading 3 chapters. I enjoy consise [sic] powerpoints.”
“Time vs. credit given.” “Too intense for a 1 credit course.”
“I prefer a lecture with a live instructor.”

9. Analysis of responses Quizzes Work required
Needed more proofreading/vetting
Students found multiple right answers
Work required
Too much content for 1 credit hour?
Quizzes took unexpectedly long time
Students don’t like to read

10. Time commitment Instructor Instructional designer
Creating course outline and format
10 hrs.
Preparing content and cases
20 hrs. -
Writing quiz questions
40 hrs.
Creating CTools site, including entering quiz questions
5 hrs.
10-15 hrs.
Total prep time
75 hrs.
20-25 hrs.
Responding to students re: course content
Responding to students re: mechanics
15 hrs.
Grading cases
Reading/grading discussions
6 hrs.
25 hrs. (Grader)
Fixing quizzes & updating grades
15-20 hrs.
Hours per week during class
~14
~8.5
Also talk about 24/7 expectations

11. Time commitment - 2nd year
Instructor
Instructional designer
Creating course outline and format
5 hrs.
Preparing content and cases
10 hrs. -
Writing quiz questions
Creating CTools site, including entering quiz questions
Total prep time
30 hrs.
15 hrs.
Responding to students re: course content
Responding to students re: mechanics
Grading cases
40 hrs.
Reading/grading discussions
25 hrs. (Grader)
Fixing quizzes & updating grades
Hours per week during class
~13.6 ~5
If we take out the mechanical problems and increase faculty feedback as per student request, the total time per week when the course is running stays nearly the same. Unfortunately, this is more than one instructor can reasonably fit into the schedule.
Still
excessive

12. Lessons Learned Meet face-to-face Give more credits for course
Fix quizzes
Reduce group size (4-6)
Make faculty availability clear on syllabus
More faculty to comment on group discussions
CTools fixes would be nice
Instructional designer and grader are necessary

13. Summary Excellent student learning
Student frustration could be greatly reduced with a few simple changes
Extensive faculty time required, especially preparing the term ahead of time
Some aspects of this online course would be very valuable to incorporate into a traditional lecture-based course

14. Questions?