Dr. Ahmed Koheil, 3rd Year Graduate Prosthodontics Resident, was born and raised in Alexandria Egypt. He graduated from Alexandria University, Egypt in 2001. He did one year of general practice residency in Alexandria, after which he was recruited as a faculty member in Alexandria Dental School. He moved to Minnesota and started his graduate prosthodontics residency in 2004. He is pursuing a Masters Degree in dental sciences as well as a certificate in technology enhanced education.
“I am particularly interested in contributing to the development of [technology enhanced learning] that will explore new dimensions of collaboration and develop into a much more sophisticated environment,” explains Dr. Koheil. “This will help undergraduate students to learn at their own pace and needs efficiently as well as enjoyably.” Dr. Koheil points out that one of the great potentials of this technology is to bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical training in the dental field. “If undergraduate students at the pre-clinical level were exposed to cleverly designed virtual clinical experiences and challenges, it would provide them with strong foundation for proper judgment when managing real-life patients.” In Dr. Koheil’s opinion, computer based learning can be a very powerful tool in improving student’s analytical capabilities which will ultimately result into great healthcare providers.
Dr. Koheil presented an example of these learning strategies as a table clinic in American College of Prosthodontists meeting in Miami Florida in November 2006. The presentation’s title was “Use of Computer Based Instruction in introducing esthetic considerations of single anterior implants: A Problem Based Approach.”
Abstract: Single anterior implants are very challenging as well as rewarding clinical cases. The treatment planning phase is crucial for achieving success. There are a lot of factors that have to be addressed during the planning phase. A computer based program could be a very powerful tool to guide students through the steps of planning such a case at the pre-clinical level. It provides an interactive environment that guides students to formulate searchable questions and help them to make decisions to plan the case successfully as well as challenges their knowledge and understanding of related information. For more information, access the project at www.tc.umn.edu/~kohei003/intro-mia42.swf
As a first place table clinic presentation winner, Dr. Koheil was awarded an unrestricted $750 educational grant.