Students' perceptions of post-exam feedback in oral radiology—A comparative study from two dental hygienist educational settings

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate how students perceive the benefit of participating in a teacher-organised session providing feedback on exams, termed post-exam feedback, in two dental hygienist programmes.

Methods

The study was based on interviews with 22 participants, including 18 students and 4 faculty teachers. The data were approached on the basis of thematic analysis, allowing us to generate insights on how the participants reflected on their participation in the post-exam feedback sessions and how they perceived this arrangement as learners.

Results

The findings from the study suggest that motivated students consider post-exam feedback to be beneficial in clearing up uncertainties and deepening their understanding of issues not fully understood during the exam, as well as supporting their further learning. Less motivated students mainly consider post-exam feedback to be relevant for students who do not pass the exams.

Conclusions

Organised in a student-centred way and with attentiveness to student learning preferences, the results suggest that post-exam feedback can be valuable for enhancing assessment and supporting student learning related to exams.