Impact of self-directed learning strategy, an innovative method in nursing undergraduates: Study protocol for a...

In today's fast-paced healthcare environment, self-directed learning is essential for healthcare professionals to stay updated and provide optimal care. Game based learning has a potential of motivating students' engagement and creating fascinating self-directed learning environment for favorable outcome. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the impact of game-based learning as an innovative self-directed learning strategy compared to conventional self-directed learning strategy on knowledge acquisition, and self-directed learning abilities among nursing undergraduates based on Self-directed learning Instrument (SDLI) score.

This quantitative, randomized controlled trial will enroll and randomize 140 undergraduate nursing students in the experimental and control group using stratified random sampling and follow them for 12 weeks. Self-directed learning (SDL) orientation session will be conducted prior to the randomization for all the participants. After randomization, experimental group will undergo SDL with game-based learning and control group will undergo SDL with conventional learning for four weeks. Follow up sessions will be conducted once a week for a period of 4 weeks. Evaluation of impact of intervention will be assessed at four time points: preintervention, immediately postintervention, 4 weeks postintervention and 12 weeks postintervention using structured knowledge questionnaire, Self-Directed Learning Instrument (SDLI) and Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor (CAP) perceived learning scale. ANOVA will be used to compare the variations in self-directed learning ability, perceived learning competency, and knowledge between two groups. Regression analysis will be conducted to explore the correlation between various independent variables and the dependent variables. Paired t-test will be used to analyze the variation between pre-test and post-test results, considering a p-value less than 0.05 to be statistically significant.

This trial aims to determine whether game-based learning as an innovative self -directed learning strategy is superior to conventional self-directed learning strategy in improving knowledge level and self-directed learning abilities of nursing undergraduates. This trial is approved by the Datta Megha Institute of Higher Education & Research, Institutional ethics committee (DMIHER(DU)/IEC/2023/141C). We plan to disseminate study results in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.

Trial Registered Prospectively [CTRI/2024/01/061599].