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

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Informatics
• Distance Learning

Background:

• Traditional classroom teaching is the primary method for imparting nursing skills.
• There is a growing need for innovative and flexible learning tools in nursing education.
• Web-based learning offers potential benefits for skill acquisition and knowledge retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of integrating a web-based learning design with traditional classroom instruction for teaching intramuscular injection nursing skills.
• To compare the learning outcomes between nursing students receiving blended learning versus traditional instruction.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 147 nursing students in eastern Taiwan.
• Students were assigned to either an experimental group (blended learning) or a control group (traditional instruction).
• The experimental group utilized a web-based course with on-demand content and online interaction tools (chatroom, bulletin board, email).

Main Results:

• The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher scores in both intramuscular injection knowledge and practical skill learning compared to the control group.
• Web-based learning facilitated on-demand access to course materials and interactive communication.
• No significant difference in the core content delivery was reported between groups, only the mode of supplementary learning.

Conclusions:

• Web-based learning design is an effective supplementary tool for teaching nursing knowledge and skills, specifically for intramuscular injections.
• Integrating technology into nursing curricula can enhance student comprehension and skill proficiency.
• This approach offers a flexible and accessible learning experience for nursing students.