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Nursing students' preferences in the use of computer assisted learning
E W Koch1, J A Rankin, R Stewart
1Department of Nursing Administration and Education, Phillip Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
The Journal of Nursing Education
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Student nurses prefer collaborative computer-assisted learning (CAL), with most favoring group work over solo sessions. Over half also preferred supervised CAL, indicating a need for guidance during digital learning activities.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Educational Technology
- Health Professions Education
Background:
- Computer-assisted learning (CAL) is increasingly integrated into nursing education curricula.
- Understanding student preferences for CAL implementation is crucial for optimizing learning experiences.
- Previous research has explored technology adoption in healthcare education, but specific CAL usage patterns require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate student nurses' preferences regarding group size, supervision levels, and overall affective responses to computer-assisted learning (CAL).
- To identify potential relationships between CAL program content and student preferences for collaborative or individual learning and supervision.
- To gather qualitative insights into the perceived advantages and disadvantages of CAL from a student perspective.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 110 second-year student nurses participating in a 3-year diploma program.
- The questionnaire assessed preferences for the number of users per terminal (individual vs. group), supervision (supervised vs. unsupervised), and general feelings towards CAL.
- Statistical analysis explored relationships between program content and learning/supervision preferences.
Main Results:
- A majority of students (56.4%) preferred group work (≤3 students per terminal), while 31.8% preferred working alone.
- More than 50% of students favored supervised CAL sessions, with 26.4% preferring unsupervised learning.
- No significant relationship was found between program content and solo/group work preference, but 10% showed a positive correlation between supervision needs and program content.
Conclusions:
- Student nurses generally favor collaborative and supervised computer-assisted learning (CAL) environments.
- The findings suggest that CAL implementation in nursing programs should consider facilitating group work and providing adequate supervision.
- Further research can explore how specific CAL content influences the need for supervision and collaborative learning dynamics in nursing education.