Lessons learned from a randomised controlled trial on web learning.

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Title: Lessons learned from a randomised controlled trial on web learning.
Authors: Canegallo, L.1, Pinelli, I.2, Beccalli, M. G.2, Lodi, G.1, Bez, C.1, Demarosi, F.1, Sardella, A.1, Esposito, A.2, Visioli, S.3, Zannini, L.3, Carrassi, A.
Source: European Journal of Dental Education. May2003, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p94-94. 0p.
Subject Terms: *Internet in education, *Universities & colleges, Clinical trials, Websites
Geographic Terms: Milan (Italy), Italy
Abstract: The web-based course in Oral Pathology ran its third edition during the academic year 2001–2002. To encourage the independence in the selection of contents, site structure supports not only a ‘guided’ and sequential, but also a ‘free’ usage of the learning material. Qualitative evaluations conducted during the last 2 years through questionnaires and interviews reported a positive feedback from students. However, due to lack of quantitative data regarding the added value of a dual-mode web-based course versus the in-class teaching course, we decided to undertake a pilot randomised control trial (RCT) to measure the learning gain of students who had access to the web support. The aim of this work is to present difficulties emerged in the design of such a study. Authors point out their experience about the following aspects: appropriateness of outcomes considered (pre- and post-test and questionnaires were distributed to assess learning and skills developed in hypothetical deductive reasoning; final examination marks were also considered); methods of randomisation and groups' matching (students were assigned randomly to a test and control group; a later analysis of pre-tests and questionnaires showed that the two groups were comparable); study design (study design had to be a cross-evaluation, but due to practice difficulties we could not cross the groups); control of the web access (only the test group received a password to log in), duration of the trial (it was not possible to limit the site access for several months; therefore, trial lasted 5 weeks); influence of formal teaching (in order to record the teacher's behaviour during in-class teaching activities an external observer, pedagogist, attended all lectures). We can conclude that previously mentioned difficulties will limit the possibility to draw affordable results from this first attempt of RCT on web learning, even if data collected are still under analysis. However, the authors hope their experience will be helpful when planning and setting up similar evaluations in other European Faculties' web based courses . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of European Journal of Dental Education is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Lessons learned from a randomised controlled trial on web learning.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Canegallo%2C+L%2E%22">Canegallo, L.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pinelli%2C+I%2E%22">Pinelli, I.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Beccalli%2C+M%2E+G%2E%22">Beccalli, M. G.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lodi%2C+G%2E%22">Lodi, G.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bez%2C+C%2E%22">Bez, C.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Demarosi%2C+F%2E%22">Demarosi, F.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sardella%2C+A%2E%22">Sardella, A.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Esposito%2C+A%2E%22">Esposito, A.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Visioli%2C+S%2E%22">Visioli, S.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zannini%2C+L%2E%22">Zannini, L.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carrassi%2C+A%2E%22">Carrassi, A.</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22European+Journal+of+Dental+Education%22">European Journal of Dental Education</searchLink>. May2003, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p94-94. 0p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet+in+education%22">Internet in education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities+%26+colleges%22">Universities & colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clinical+trials%22">Clinical trials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Websites%22">Websites</searchLink>
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  Data: The web-based course in Oral Pathology ran its third edition during the academic year 2001–2002. To encourage the independence in the selection of contents, site structure supports not only a ‘guided’ and sequential, but also a ‘free’ usage of the learning material. Qualitative evaluations conducted during the last 2 years through questionnaires and interviews reported a positive feedback from students. However, due to lack of quantitative data regarding the added value of a dual-mode web-based course versus the in-class teaching course, we decided to undertake a pilot randomised control trial (RCT) to measure the learning gain of students who had access to the web support. The aim of this work is to present difficulties emerged in the design of such a study. Authors point out their experience about the following aspects: appropriateness of outcomes considered (pre- and post-test and questionnaires were distributed to assess learning and skills developed in hypothetical deductive reasoning; final examination marks were also considered); methods of randomisation and groups' matching (students were assigned randomly to a test and control group; a later analysis of pre-tests and questionnaires showed that the two groups were comparable); study design (study design had to be a cross-evaluation, but due to practice difficulties we could not cross the groups); control of the web access (only the test group received a password to log in), duration of the trial (it was not possible to limit the site access for several months; therefore, trial lasted 5 weeks); influence of formal teaching (in order to record the teacher's behaviour during in-class teaching activities an external observer, pedagogist, attended all lectures). We can conclude that previously mentioned difficulties will limit the possibility to draw affordable results from this first attempt of RCT on web learning, even if data collected are still under analysis. However, the authors hope their experience will be helpful when planning and setting up similar evaluations in other European Faculties' web based courses . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of European Journal of Dental Education is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1034/j.1600-0579.2003.00326.x
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      – SubjectFull: Universities & colleges
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      – SubjectFull: Clinical trials
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