Journal of Prosthodontics News
November 28, 2018
Digital Learning Resources for Prosthodontic Education
In the December issue of the Journal of Prosthodontics and online now, Dr. Charles Goodacre advocates for using 3D education programs in class to enhance students' education via improved spatial ability, interactivity, critical thinking, and clinical correlations with integration of multiple dental disciplines.
Spatial ability (the ability to visualize a structure and manipulate it in the mind so as to mentally see its form from different perspectives) contributes to success in the sciences. Therefore, based on published reports and his extensive experience in the field, Dr. Goodacre believes dental education should include 3D resources that enhance the ability of students to visualize both hard and soft tissues. Because interactivity in class can enhance learning, he promotes the regular use of 3D education programs in class.
Additionally, Dr. Goodacre supports dental courses including clinical correlations with the other disciplines of dentistry and the basic sciences. Finally, he notes that the introduction of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in dentistry offers an opportunity to study the perceptions of students regarding their benefits and limitations as well as to determine if they enhance a student's 3D visualization skills.
Citation: Goodacre CJ: Digital Learning Resources for Prosthodontic Education: The Perspectives of a Long-Term Dental Educator Regarding 4 Key Factors. J Prosthodont doi:10.1111/jopr.12987
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