Environmental health and nursing: piloting a technology-enhanced distance learning module

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health Science
• Nursing Education
• Distance Learning Technologies

Background:

• Nurses require updated environmental health knowledge for public health protection.
• Continuing professional education for nurses often faces accessibility challenges.
• Technology-enhanced learning offers a potential solution for delivering specialized nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a technology-enhanced, internet-based distance learning module for imparting environmental health core concepts to nurses.
• To assess the effectiveness of interactive features in adult learning principles for environmental health education.
• To measure learning gains, recognition of adult learning principles, and participant satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 34 registered nurses (RNs) utilized a pre- and post-test design.
• An internet-based module incorporated interactive elements: simulated clinical vignettes, an environmental justice case study, and relevant hyperlinks.
• Data collected included mean learning gains, identification of adult learning principles, and participant satisfaction surveys.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant 6% mean gain in learning was observed between pre- and post-tests (p < .0001).
• No significant learning differences were found based on preference for face-to-face instruction or tendency to procrastinate.
• Ninety-four percent of participants reported satisfaction or high satisfaction with the module.

Conclusions:

• Technology-enhanced distance learning, specifically internet-based modules, shows promise for effective environmental health education for nurses.
• Recognition of adult learning principles correlated positively with module satisfaction and knowledge assimilation.
• This educational format can enhance nurses' competencies in environmental health, supporting public health initiatives.