Utilização da tecnologia de informação e comunicação na aprendizagem por estudantes de Odontologia

Abstract

The teaching-learning process has in the novel information and communications technologies (ICTs), in particular the Internet, an important tool. In this context, educational institutions are challenged to develop pedagogical practices integrated into the virtual environment. This approach demands, among other things, knowledge of the profile of the technology used by the students to develop educational content and pedagogical practices aligned with the use of ICTs by the students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the use of ICTs by undergraduate dental students in the learning process, considering the profile of Internet access and interest in videos of dental materials topics. The study sample was composed by, 597 dental students from the Federal Universities of Pelotas (UFPel), Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and Fluminense (UFF). A self-applicable paper questionnaire handed to the student in the classroom was used. The questionnaire contained questions on the use of ICTs in individual and collaborative learnings, the use of apps to study dentistry, and interest in topics of videos related to dental materials. It was found that the students use ICT resources in the process of individual learning as well as communication resources mediated by the Internet in collaborative learning. The access to study is done mainly by mobile devices. The websites most used are Google.com, YouTube, and Passei Direto, whereas the least accessed website amongst those listed was Portal Capes. Communication between students is carried out mainly through instant messaging, especially via WhatsApp app. Regarding the format of content to study dentistry, most students prefer to use content in physical format, such as books and photocopies, instead of digital formats. Less than half of the respondents use apps in learning. As regards the interest for videos related to dental materials topics, most respondents expressed interest in the topics presented and indicated a total of 1248 topics that they have interest in videos. The points identified by the present study can aid in drawing a general profile of the use of ICTs by the respondents, provoke reflection on the adoption and development of digital tools for the teaching-learning process, as well as hybrid teaching methodologies that can be integrated both into the dental materials area and the undergraduate dental education in general.