Interactive video: an analysis of its value to nurse education

This paper attempts to explain the emerging technology of interactive video and examine its possible place in nursing education. A brief description of the media is given with an exploration of the educational theory and justification underlying its use. A range of approaches to the evaluation of the technology itself and software available are given, which examine advantages and disadvantages for individual learners and for an organisation considering investment in this area. The possible role of interactive video in nurse education is discussed and a recommendation given that nurse educators need to keep up-to-date with developments in this type of educational technology and develop software suitable for the needs of nurses, rather than having to use packages developed for other purposes which have limited application for nursing.