Nursing students' access to technological devices in nursing education: A quantitative study in Namibia

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Technology Integration
• Digital Learning Environments

Background:

• Technology integration is crucial for 21st-century higher education, significantly enhancing student learning experiences.
• Effective technology use is vital for modern educational institutions to remain competitive and relevant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nursing students' access to and use of technological devices.
• To assess the integration of technology within a higher education nursing program.
• To understand student preferences for technology-enhanced learning modalities.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 70 third-year nursing students at a public university using self-administered questionnaires.
• Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants (47.1%) owned technological devices, with laptops being preferred (60.0%).
• Students frequently used devices and applications (cell phones, messaging, social media, WhatsApp) daily for learning and communication.
• Key uses included downloading materials, submitting online assessments, and contacting peers and faculty.

Conclusions:

• The study confirmed widespread student ownership and utilization of technology, facilitating blended learning.
• Technology integration improved educational access, enabling remote participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This research underscores the transformative potential of technology in higher education, particularly in nursing programs.