Resumo

FROTA, Myrna Maria Arcanjo et al. The portfolio as a facilitating strategy of the teaching-learning process for dentistry training: Suitability of teaching methods using the virtual environment for learning. Rev. ABENO [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.1, pp. 23-28. ISSN 1679-5954.

The search for knowledge, creativity, and writing production are encouraged when a portfolio is used as a learning tool. This study aims to evaluate the portfolio as a facilitator of the teaching-learning process for dentistry training. A descriptive and cross-sectional survey was held in the second semester of 2010, in the Dentistry School at UFC. A questionnaire was applied to regularly enrolled academics in the disciplines of Scientific Methodology applied to Dentistry I and Public Health II, totaling 60 students and three teachers of these disciplines. Data collection was performed by electronic questionnaires using a list of email addresses registered at a virtual learning site. For analysis purposes, the information obtained was organized into an Excel database and later analyzed by a statistics program, Epi-info version 3.5.1. The research was submitted for evaluation and was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research, protocol 157/10. Analyzing the students questionnaires, 100% assessed the portfolio as an excellent or good evaluation method; 98.3% of these said that the portfolio was better than traditional tests, when the focus is on learning; and 100% of the students declared that the methodology of teaching and learning using the portfolio facilitates the learning process. All the professors believe that student efficiency is greatest when the portfolio is used and that it facilitates learning. It was concluded that the portfolio is a worthy education tool that is well accepted by students and that can be used in dental education.

Palavras-chave : Teaching; Education; Dental; Educational Measurement.