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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to more clearly comprehend importance of distance education modality for the existing and future nursing programs.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to determine student outcomes differences in distance education modalities compared to a traditional campus setting.
The focus of this preliminary investigation is a comparison of student outcomes between a traditional campus based classroom with that of a fully distance education based course. With the dramatic growth in distance education, there is little if no data available on learning outcomes aimed specifically at LPN/LVN students working toward their baccalaureate degree and RN licensure. As only a very limited number of students have graduated from an LPN/LVN to baccalaureate degree program from a Midwestern University there is insufficient data to compare actual National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) success rates of distance education students in this program. Learning outcomes will be evaluated using results from a commercially developed content mastery test taken by students having completed an introductory mental health course. Students enrolled in the distance education program all have a current LPN/LVN license while the students used for comparison in the traditional classroom setting do not have a current LPN/LVN license. Initial comparisons between the two groups will be investigated using a nationally recognized program entry exam and its subscales. Analysis of covariance will be utilized to make adjustments in the commercially developed content mastery test for any differences found between the two groups using the results from the program entry examination and a grade point average from selected courses. Demographic data will also be presented to highlight any differences the two groups may exhibit.