Introduction: Literature in education and training supports the notion that distance learning (DL) is the most effective mode of learning for health care workers to improve the quality of patient care. However, implementing DL requires pre-assessing learners' perspectives and attitudes for providing better delivery, essential support, and facilities. This study aimed to identify the viewpoints and attitudes of dental graduates toward DL in medical education and their point views of the effectiveness and efficacy of DL tools. Methods: A structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to registered adult graduates working in government-or private hospitals in a permanent position or for a long term (3 months or more). Data were collected and analyzed. Results: Two-thirds (67.9%) of the participants had previously attended a DL course. The highest ranked items on the participants' views on DL were ease of access, ability to take the course from any location, and be taught from anywhere in the world. Their perception of DL was analyzed in relation to gender and previous exposure to DL. Conclusion: This investigation revealed a positive attitude among graduates on the effectiveness of DL. Most respondents appreciated DL's convenience in terms of time flexibility and online attendance. Residents' attitudes toward DL and DL characteristics are major factors to consider when instituting or planning for DL. Continuous medical education through DL will continue to generate considerable interest as an international movement.

The aim of this article was to review the different evaluation approaches for adult learners and the effect on promoting the quality of teaching and learning. This study aimed to identify new trends in adult education formative-summative evaluations. Data were collected from multiple peer-reviewed sources in a comprehensive literature review covering the period from January 2014 to March 2019. A total of 22 peer-reviewed studies were included in this study. Results were systematically analyzed to answer three questions as follows: what are the new trends in the summative and formative evaluations of adult learners? What are the new trends in the summative and formative evaluations of adult learners engaged in distance learning? And what are the outcomes/drawbacks in the summative and formative evaluations of adult learners? An analysis of the existing literature indicated that those who instruct adults must use a wide variety of pre- and post-assessment tools to match students’ differences with their needs. It also highlighted the importance of “assessment for learning” rather than “assessment of learning” and “learning-oriented assessment” (LOA) for lifelong learning, thus preparing adult learners for future responsibilities and decision making. It also indicated the importance of reflection and immediate feedback for the adult learner. Assessment of mental phenomena such as creativity should have defined terms. The findings of this article supported the argument for more attention to be paid to new trends in evaluations used in adult education. One important result of this kind of evaluation is its facilitation of self-confidence within the adult learning setting.

<p>Classroom response systems (clickers) have been found to engage and attract student attention and facilitate the practical application of key ideas to solve problems. This study was designed to investigate the effects of clicker use on problem-solving among adult learners. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 60 students after giving them actual case studies for problem-solving using PowerPoint slides. An equal number of participants were assigned to each of the control (n=30) and experimental groups (n=30). Although both groups engaged in the same problem-solving tasks, the experimental group used clickers as a learning tool in the classroom. Data were analyzed using frequency, means, exploratory factor analysis, the Friedman ranking test, and linear regression analysis. The study findings revealed overall positive responses toward using clickers in the classroom. They also suggested that clickers encouraged thinking and problem-solving. It is concluded that problem-solving learning in adult education appears to be more effective when accompanied by clicker use than through conventional teaching methods.</p><p><strong>Received</strong>: 26 September 2019<br /><strong>Accepted</strong>: 04 March 2020<br /><strong>Published online</strong>: 19 May 2020</p>