Strategies to Promote Learning and Engage Participants

Gamification in Nursing Education: An Integrative Literature Review

The objective of this literature review and evaluation project was to determine what evidence exists on the use of interactive digital learning and gamification for adult learners in nursing, for the purpose of guiding a redesign of our organization's online clinical education courses. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was used in the literature search, with the critical analysis and leveling of evidence. After determining the search terms, four electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and Cochrane) were searched with the guidance of a medical librarian. Eight reviewers participated, and an evidence-based practice specialist served as auditor. Twenty-three articles were included in the review, which revealed overall support for the gamification process with specific findings about optimizing the process. The review further suggested that interactive digital learning in the form of games, gamification, or scenario-based learning has a positive effect on learner engagement and satisfaction; however, none of the studies were able to quantify objective data about knowledge retention. Further research is needed to test different modalities that improve both learner engagement and knowledge retention. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(11):509-515.].

Game On: Evaluating the Impact of Gamification in Nursing Orientation on Motivation and Knowledge Retention

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine if implementing gamification teaching methodologies in nondigital format into nursing orientation has a positive effect on orientees' motivation and knowledge retention. The study included a convenience sample of 152 registered nurses who attended the nursing orientation class at a Midwestern acute care facility. This study found that gamification had a positive effect on the orientees' motivation and knowledge retention.

How to Flip the Classroom to Improve Learner Engagement

Providing effective nursing professional development that meets the needs of a variety of learners, promotes critical thinking skills, and results in application in clinical practice is challenging. The flipped classroom was successfully implemented at a large Midwestern teaching hospital to address these challenges. This article explores flipped classroom exemplars including descriptions of prework, active learning strategies, and recommendations for successful implementation of the flipped classroom.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Educational Activities: Part One

This article, the sixth part of the educational design series, addresses how nursing professional development practitioners can meet the American Nurses Credentialing Center accreditation educational design criteria. Educational design process criterion 6 addresses the evaluation process and corresponds with The Association for Nursing Professional Development's Scope and Standards of Practice. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(6):245-247.