Online discussion boards in dental education: potential and challenges

Background:  Online discussion boards may enhance critical analysis and reflection, and promote the acquisition of knowledge. Aims:  To assess the effectiveness of online discussion board as a pedagogical tool in augmenting face-to-face teaching in dental education. Method:  Data were collected from a discussion archive offered through the E-course website of the School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, UK in 2008. A multi-component metric included; participation, social learning, cognitive processing, role of instructors, and quality of discussion. Messages were coded for 14 variables to evaluate these dimensions. Data were analyzed using content analysis methodology and a complete message was uses as the unit of analysis. Results:  There were no significant difference in participation between students and instructors (P