Using Discussion Boards as a Teaching & Learning strategy Experiences gained teaching final year nursing students in IrelandSile A Creedon, PhD student, MSc (Res), BNS, RNT, RGN, RM, Dip (Teachers) IT.Lecturer, Co-ordinator Year 4 BSc
Overview Genesis for module
Modular objectives
Interaction / Engagement
Survey
Genesis / background
Own background in nursing informatics
Health system ICT framework: HSE 2003
National Health Information Strategy 2004
Nurses are the largest group of healthcare workers
Modular descriptor
NU4025: Health Informatics for Nurses
Optional (N=99)
Two pedagogical approaches: web-based and classroom based.
Module objectives To examine implications for health delivery arising from telemedicine, ehealth
To examine the status of information technology within the Irish Healthcare sector
To explore and evaluate models of patient information data management systems
Interaction (engagement)interaction is a reciprocal exchange of information which enhances knowledge development.goal is to increase understanding or mastery of defined goals Thurmond (2003) Learner / contentLearner / studentLearner / lecturerLearner / medium
VLE : Blackboard
Course operationalisationThree week cycle
Week 1 attend for lectures (web tools, ppt, reading). Discussion thread provided
Week 2 Submit to Discussion board. Clear guidelines date, time, word limit, no lurkingFeedback from lecturer.
Week 3 Peer review to discussion board. Feedback from lecturer.
Discussion boards
Strengths: All information is shared equally between student and lecturerPermanent record Convenient place for students to work as groups and learn from each otherStudents have the opportunity to reflect before posting
LimitationsLess convenient than emailLurking Lecturer may have difficulty in determining original thought
Factors that influence success
Value: need to meet learning outcomesBaskin 2001Challenge: thread needs to be stimulating
Non-threatening: small electronic groupsNorthover 2002 Feedback: need to know they are on the right trackChou, Liu 2005, Leng et al 2006
Encouragement: lecturer must provide a positive learning environment and be able to manage groups.(Pallof, Pratt 2001)Authentic: thread has to be realistic, meaningful and build knowledge in a contextualised relevant way. (Herrington, Oliver 2000, McLoughlin, Luca 2001)
Learner / content interaction .students examining the course content and from participating in class activities .(Moore and Kearsley 1999)
Variables: Clarity of course designWeb tools Consistent (ppt, hyperlinked reading)Time concerns, requirements realistically identifiedapprox 200 hits to Blackboard per weekMedium used for module delivery Web based / modified lectures
(Swan 2001, Sole & Lindquist 2001, Faux, Black Hughes 2000))
Learner learner interaction contd.
Divided into groups of 5 electronically secure
Facilities for file transfer, email, chat and discussion board.Submit reflections (discussion boards)Review peer submissionsSubmit peer reviewVery explicit expectations, submission dates and times.Protected time
Learner lecturer interaction
Most significant predictor of learning (Leong, Ho, Saromines 2002, Jiang and Ting, 1999).
Differed to traditional: email, discussion boards
Provided timely feedback on each submission.
Considerable time required
Learner interface interaction Course required interaction between internet, web-tools and blackboard.
Varying degrees of literacy
Blackboard: user friendly
Use of two pedagogical mediums: web based and lecture-theatre based
Evidence of student learningSummative assessment:
Design a nursing information system for the ward / unit you are most familiar with.
Content
Engagement with literature relevant citations
Creative, logical, original thinking
Mastery of the subject
Contextualised within national / international HC system
Marked: 2 lecturers / 1 ext examiner
Results: majority second or first class hons.
Major findings from survey (n=89)Engaged with content that they did not even know existed (51%)
Read more for this module than any other (45%)
Peer review was excellent and made them more critical of their own work (80%)
Computer skills had improved (even though this was not a learning outcome) 45%
What they said (Markclass)Student / contentI have learned such a lot about IT in the health services in Ireland. Thank you!
This was a fabulous module, the content is really relevant. I would recommend that this should be a core module. Excellent content, very relevant to nursing, I really learnt a lot
This module really got me thinking about the way we manage patient records todayallowed me see how changes could be made within my own discipline
Very motivating for us as future staff nurses in relation to using ICT to manage patient data
What they said.It was such a help getting feedback after each discussion. I really learned from this course
Excellent to be able to review my peers workthis is critical learning
This was such a different approach to teaching wonderful.knowing how you were doing made such a difference,
Fantastic.guidance from sile really helped mebest experience in the four years.
Conclusion / RecommendationsGenesis: National developments, Nurses are the largest group in healthcare delivery
Engagement
Evidence of student learning
Recommendations Replication of course designComparison with traditional methodologies Instrument development (valid / reliable)
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