Cybercases: An Innovation in Internet Education

Effects of a Web-based course on nursing skills and knowledge learning

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of supplementing traditional classroom teaching with Web-based learning design when teaching intramuscular injection nursing skills. Four clusters of nursing students at a junior college in eastern Taiwan were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. A total of 147 students (80 in the experimental group, 67 in the control group) completed the study. All participants received the same classroom lectures and skill demonstration. The experimental group interacted using a Web-based course and were able to view the content on demand. The students and instructor interacted via a chatroom, the bulletin board, and e-mail. Participants in the experimental group had significantly higher scores on both intramuscular injection knowledge and skill learning. A Web-based design can be an effective supplementing learning tool for teaching nursing knowledge and skills.

Addressing the issue of e-learning and online genetics for health professionals

Health-care professionals need an appropriate genetics knowledge base to care for patients and their families. However, studies have indicated that nurses and midwives lack the requisite genetics knowledge to practice effectively and safely, with a paucity of resources to address their educational needs. This paper describes an action research study aimed at developing an online genetics resource for students and practitioners in a range of health professions. A literature review of current health-care genetics education was undertaken. In the first phase of the action cycle, a sample of nurses and midwives were surveyed using a questionnaire to discover their perceived learning needs and the acceptability of an e-learning approach. Using the findings, an online resource for health professionals was developed, by means of a life stage structure to expedite accessibility. The developmental process leading to the construction of clinical case studies in this resource (including theory, ethical, and practical issues) and the evaluation strategy are discussed.

Effectiveness of a 6-week Online Course in the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale for Emergency Nurses

INTRODUCTION

There is increasing interest in 5-level triage systems in emergency departments; however, the adoption of a new system places heavy training demands on ED department nurses and physicians. One emerging training option is online learning. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of an online course in the 5-level Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) on the clinical practice of the triage nurse.

METHODS

Interviews were held with 23 emergency nurses from across Canada. A chart audit of triage codes from 367 charts from 6 hospitals was conducted.

RESULTS

The most consistent finding was that the majority of RN staff enjoyed the online course and believed it had improved their triage practice. Nurses believed that their patient assessments were more thorough, accurate, and consistent throughout the department. Improved communication between staff and with patients and families was identified. Nurses reported using what they learned to improve triage assessment. Triage accuracy was high; the overall agreement between CTAS graduates and the chart auditor/expert within one CTAS level was 99.7%. Nurses also identified a number of organizational barriers to CTAS implementation after the course.

DISCUSSION

The online format appears to be an effective, efficient, and convenient way to educate large numbers of ED staff in CTAS. Further research is needed regarding the use of multimedia and computer online chat options to further enhance the online learning experience for nurses.

Promoting Active Learning Through On-Line Discussion Boards

The authors describe faculty experiences in developing and evaluating on-line discussion boards for an undergraduate nursing program. The advantages and limitations of on-line discussions as well as various applications of the methodology are presented. A variety of innovative applications for on-line discussions in undergraduate didactic and clinically based nursing courses are illustrated.

Internet Teaching Methods for Use in Baccalaureate Nursing Education

The advent of technology has had a profound influence on nursing education. As an example, use of the Internet is continually gaining importance. The Internet allows students to learn in a classroom, via distance education, or at home. Many nurse educators now adapt traditional content with ease, using alternative teaching methods that integrate Internet technology. In this article, a variety of alternative adaptations are considered. Focused on baccalaureate nursing education, this article presents a limited review and critique of the literature regarding successful use of the Internet.

Becoming a web-based learner: registered nurses' experiences

AIMS

The purpose of the study was to describe Registered Nurses' experiences when taking a web-based course from either the workplace or home, and the impact of their learning on clinical practice.

RATIONALE

Little is known about the web-based learners' experience, particularly when courses are accessed from the nursing practice setting. Even less is known about whether nurses transfer their web-based learning to clinical practice.

METHODS

A qualitative design employing focus group interviews was used. Participants included hospital and community nurses from three Canadian provinces and one territory. Data were collected at three points over a 6-month period and analysed using a thematic analysis process. These findings emanate from a larger study using survey method and focus group interviews.

RESULTS

The focus group interviews captured the hurdles nurses faced during the first weeks when they struggled with technology, re-framed their views of teaching and adjusted to web-based learning from home and work. These first stressful weeks were followed by a period during which nurses developed relationships with the teacher and peers that enabled them to focus on learning and prevented attrition. Most nurses reported the web course was convenient and that they would be interested and comfortable using technology for learning and work purposes in the future. Six weeks after the course was completed, nurses articulated a number of ways the course had improved their practice.

CONCLUSION

Initial weeks in a web-based course can be very challenging for novice Internet users, however, most nurses who completed the course reported a positive learning experience. Nurses, employers and educators should evaluate computer skills, computer access and the learning environment when preparing for web-based learning.

Evaluation of Classroom-Based, Web-Enhanced, and Web-Based Distance Learning Nutrition Courses for Undergraduate Nursing

A traditional classroom-based course was transitioned during three semesters to a Web-enhanced and then a Web-based course. This nutrition course was part of the core curriculum for 58 undergraduate nursing students. Evaluation data were collected and analyzed to compare the effectiveness of the traditional classroom, Web-enhanced, and Web-based courses. Areas of evaluation included mid-term and final examination scores and course grades, as well as student self-reports of instructor preparation, instructor-student interaction, testing, course objectives and assignments, textbooks, and strengths and weaknesses of the course. No differences were found in student learning outcomes. Although the Web-based course received the lowest mean course evaluation score, which was significantly different from the scores of the other two instructional methods, the students' qualitative comments revealed both positive and negative aspects of online instruction.

The role of the course coordinator in a distance education course

Nursing schools are increasingly offering distance education courses to meet the changing needs of students. Few resources are available to provide direction to faculty coordinating a team-taught distance education course. The author describes the experience of a course coordinator in the development, delivery, and evaluation of a new course for RNs. Strategies used in course development, faculty, student and administrative communication, and resource coordination are presented.

Web-based Professional Education for Advanced Practice Nursing: A Consumer Guide for Program Selection

As Web-based education becomes increasingly available, there are more educational opportunities to pursue an advanced practice degree. Despite the increasing number of schools delivering Web-based education courses and programs, evaluation of these programs is primarily in beginning stages. The purposes of this article are first to present a scenario of how a Midwestern nursing school developed, implemented, and continually evaluates Web-based education in its master's program, and second to present a consumer guide for program selection. Elements in the guide are derived from program accrediting agencies, the literature, and distance learning experiences. The consumer's guide is presented for nurses interested in exploring or continuing the completion of an advanced practice degree.

Technology-enhanced distance education: from experimentation to concerted action

Despite the rush to embrace technology-enhanced learning (TEL), descriptions of how schools of nursing move toward systemwide implementation of this type of teaching are scarce. There is a wide gap between sporadic dabbling by individual instructors in specific courses and adoption and implementation of TEL throughout a program. This article describes the experiences of a group of nursing faculty who helped move one school of nursing from experimentation with TEL in distance education to concerted action toward a strategic schoolwide plan. J Prof Nurs 17:135-140, 2001.

A Framework for Assessing Outcomes and Practices in Web-Based Courses in Nursing

This article presents a framework to assess the dynamic interaction of technology used to offer Web-based courses, the teaching-learning practices in these courses, and the outcomes enabled by the technology. Concepts of the model include outcomes, educational practices, faculty support, learner support, and use of technology. Variables are identified for each of the concepts.