'Last adventure'--a computer simulation package for use in nurse education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Educational Technology
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• The educational benefits of microcomputers for learner nurses are not always evident.
• Traditional teaching methods in nursing education often rely on written materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the educational value of a specific simulation software, 'Last Adventure', for introductory nurse learners.
• To compare the effectiveness of computer-based simulation versus traditional written work in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A simulation package, 'Last Adventure', was developed for introductory nurse learners.
• A small-scale research project compared the software's educational value against traditional written assignments.
• Data was collected to evaluate educational benefits and learner feedback.

Main Results:

• Initially, no significant differences were observed between the groups.
• Nurse learners using the microcomputer simulation reported more positive feedback.
• The microcomputer group demonstrated a longer retention time for tested facts.

Conclusions:

• Microcomputer-based simulation offers advantages in nursing education.
• The 'Last Adventure' software positively impacts learner engagement and knowledge retention.
• Educational technology can be a valuable supplement to traditional nursing instruction.