2024 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 11-19
Abstract LTD based PBL (LBP) is problem based learning (PBL) based on learning through discussion (LTD), which is one of the cooperative learning techniques. A course on LBP practical training was conducted for the first-year students of the Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo in the 2020-2022 academic years, either online or face-to-face, and both ways. Based on the results of a student self-assessment in the course on LBP practical training, the differences and educational effects of each were investigated. The course was conducted online using the breakout room in Zoom conferencing software (called “online LBP”) in the 2020 academic year, both online and face-to-face (“blended LBP”) in the 2021 academic year, and only face-to-face (“face-to-face LBP”) in the 2022 academic year. In the analysis of the student self-assessment, there were no significant differences between the online, blended, and face-to-face LBPs in the question items of whether they were able to (1) identify learning items, (2) gather appropriate information, (3) summarize learning contents, and (4) listen attentively. In contrast, significant differences were found in each of the items asking whether students were able to (5) present clearly, (6) actively participate in the discussion, (7) communicate well, and (8) contribute to the group, with more students clearly answering agree for face-to-face LBP and blended LBP than for online LBP. In particular, items (6) through (8) are activities that lead to deeper dialogue, suggesting that blended LBP and face-to-face LBP are more suitable than online LBP for promoting active discussions and quality communications that deepen dialogue.
