Models of Nursing Education - Essay Example

           Nursing education can occur in two different models: face-to-face learning and virtual learning. Before now, most nursing classes take place in the physical venues where nursing students can have physical interaction with their instructors. But the modern technologies have broken such a barrier that students can now take their lessons via online and have meaningful exchanges with their instructors (McKeachie, 2010;  Billings and Halstead, 2008; Jairath and Mills, 2006). However, there are some importance differences in the use of multimedia in both the traditional face-to-face class setting and the virtual class. These differences are highlighted below:

• Face-to-face traditional class: In the physical class, the nursing instructor is the main visible authority, and he or she may use a chalk board, white board, overhead projector and an/or handouts to let the students understand his or her lessons (McKeachie, 2010; Billings and Halstead, 2008). In recent years, advanced technologies have increased the number of teaching tools utilized in the traditional nursing classes—these include but are limited to the use of video clips, demonstrative videos, powerpoint presentations and ELMO (Electricity Light Machine Organization), which is a document camera. Initially, researches have shown that face-to-face learning has become redundant, passive and uninteresting to the students. The use of these multimedia will surely bring some spark and

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energy into the lessons in as much as the nursing instructors have been duly trained about how to use them (Billings and Halstead, 2008). More importantly, the instructors must be able to elicit some active responses from their students while using the teaching multimedia. If not, it would appear that the nursing instructor was only entertaining the students with modern technologies and not passing across the right messages (McKeachie, 2010).

• Virtual Class: One of the beauties of modern technology is that it allows people to study online irrespective of their present location; so far there is an Internet connection (Jairath and Mills, 2006). Some of the useful tools employed in online nursing education include but not restricted to computers, video clips, text (both on-screen and short-messaging), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that allow students to hold one-on-one conversation with their peers and tutors, activity-based tools like simulated interactive discourses, hypermedia software that can elaborate more on themes of studies, skill labs and Internet library (archives). Online education offers a more relaxed and time-managed process of learning. It provides better opportunities for active learning as nursing students (mostly the shy ones) can throw important questions at their online instructors without bashful. Online leaning model removes the unchallengeable authority that face-to-face instructor has, and make the online instructor to be up-to-date in what he or she teaches to the students via the Internet.

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                          Part 2—Power Point (Excerpt)

                                         SLIDE 1

                         Why Virtual Learning Model in Nursing?

• Virtual learning model in nursing provides some benefits to the modern-day nursing students in the sense that their classes can be taken irrespective of their locations
• Studying in a relaxed environment
• Better interaction among peers and instructors
• Time-saving technique
• Make use of modern sophisticated technologies

                                 SLIDE 2

   What are the Major Tools Used in Virtual Classes?

• Computers
• Video Clips
• Text (both on-screen and short messaging)
• VoIP applications
• Hypermedia Software and Interactive simulation
• Online libraries and Archives

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                                   SLIDE 3

Do Nursing Students Feel at Home with Virtual Leaning?

• Yes, it encourages individuality
• It offers a rare chance to question nursing instructors confidently (since it is almost anonymous)
• Discussion among peers is dynamic
• Grading and instructor’s comments are given on time
• It offers opportunity to study on the go

                                     SLIDE 4

   Why Choosing Virtual Class over Traditional Class?

• Traditional class is less democratic out of the fear of the imposing instructor’s personality
• The virtual class puts everyone on the same level of recognition—brilliant or not-so-brilliant students
• Virtual class saves time and can be accessed anywhere
• The virtual class utilizes more multimedia than the traditional class

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                 Further Improvements in Virtual Class

• Better peer-to-peer interaction
• Improved Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications as not many online classes employ this.
• Encouraging more online group activities
• Avoid technical glitches that could destroy online classes.