Web-enhanced and face-to-face classroom instructional methods: effects on course outcomes and student satisfaction

Web-enhanced courses are increasingly popular for providing rich learning experiences and greater flexibility in achieving course outcomes. As technology emerges as an adjunct to face-to-face teaching methodologies, nursing educators are compelled to determine to what extent students are able to meet course objectives when technology is used to enhance the classroom experience. Graduate nursing students enrolled in face-to-face and web-enhanced sections of a course were evaluated on technical ability, learning style, learning outcomes, and course satisfaction. There was no difference on technical ability and learning outcomes. Overall, students in the web-enhanced section were more satisfied with the course, and reported advantages such as greater flexibility in scheduling, less travel, and greater independence and self-pacing of content. The data suggest that web-enhanced courses can provide a valid alternative to more traditional face-to-face classroom formats, and may remove some of the barriers to pursuing advanced nursing degrees.