Use of iPads to Decrease Faculty Workload

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Professions Education Technology

Background:

• Faculty experienced increased workload and fatigue during student competency assessments.
• Technology integration was explored to mitigate workload and ensure assessment consistency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of using tablet computers and a video platform for recording student competency assessments.
• To determine if this technology could reduce faculty workload and maintain interrater reliability.

Main Methods:

• High-fidelity simulators, tablet computers, and a university video platform were employed to record assessments.
• One faculty member conducted assessments, while others reviewed recordings to ensure reliability.

Main Results:

• Seventy-four competency assessments were successfully recorded using the tablet and video platform.
• Faculty confirmed the tablet as a viable, inexpensive tool for recording assessments and maintaining reliability.
• Student remediation was enhanced through recorded performance reviews, and assessment time, particularly in the evenings, was reduced.

Conclusions:

• Tablet computers and video platforms offer a cost-effective solution for reducing faculty contact hours in competency assessments.
• This technological approach effectively maintains interrater reliability.
• It provides a valuable resource for student self-review and remediation, improving learning outcomes.