Using web-based discussion as a teaching strategy: bioethics as an exemplar.

Area of Science:

• Bioethics Education
• Online Learning Technologies
• Nursing Education

Background:

• Accreditation standards necessitate bioethics competency in nurses.
• Bioethics education aims to foster discussion and debate skills.
• Integrating disciplinary and topic-specific needs in education presents challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of web-based discussion software (WebBoard 3.0) in a graduate bioethics course.
• To assess the impact of online conferencing on student participation and engagement.
• To explore student and faculty perceptions of using technology in bioethics education.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of WebBoard 3.0, a web-based discussion software, in a graduate bioethics course.
• Analysis of student participation patterns, focusing on engagement levels and discussion contributions.
• Collection of faculty and student evaluations regarding ease of use, format preference, and overall satisfaction.

Main Results:

• WebBoard 3.0 successfully facilitated class discussions, notably for reticent students and distance learners.
• The asynchronous format was well-received, allowing students to participate at their convenience.
• Student and faculty evaluations were generally positive, highlighting ease of use and increased participation.
• The strategy ensured universal student participation, a key project objective.

Conclusions:

• Web-based discussion platforms are effective tools for enhancing bioethics education and ensuring student engagement.
• Asynchronous online conferencing can overcome barriers to participation for diverse learners.
• While labor-intensive, this technology-mediated approach successfully met educational goals in bioethics.
• Interdisciplinary application could further enhance the value of this educational strategy.