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Learning Objective 1: Describe the instructional successes and areas for improvement of the teaching/learning strategy WebQuests in nursing education from the learner’s point of view.
Learning Objective 2: Summarize the learner’s perspectives of using WebQuests as a teaching/learning strategy in nursing education.
WebQuests are instructional webpages that have unique designs to engage learners in higher order thinking, such as analysis, critical thinking, evaluation and synthesis in learners. Consistent with constructivist philosophy, a WebQuest can be used for staff development, continuing education, and/or academic education. There are six main components to a WebQuest: introduction, task, process, conclusion, evaluation and resources/credits (Dodge, 1995). Educators can design probing questions into the Nursing WebQuest and use simulation in the design. There is a gap in the literature of research related to the effectiveness and use of WebQuests in Nursing Education, yet a variety of teaching/learning strategies are important to use and study by nurse educator leaders. This study sought to examine the teaching/learning strategy of WebQuests from the learner’s point of view.
Methods
A descriptive, mixed methods survey design was used to study the learner’s perspective of WebQuests as a teaching/learning strategy in nursing. A convenience sample of 28 nursing students who used Nursing WebQuests in nursing courses was obtained.
Results
A majority of participants reported favorable use of the Nursing WebQuest, specifically in relation to organization, ease of use, allowing one to learn at their own pace, encouraging reflective thinking and prompted thinking about interacting with patients and families and nursing interventions.
Conclusion
Valuable information was discovered for nurse educators regarding what is effective in the WebQuest design for nursing learners. Areas for improvement were identified so that nurse educators can improve WebQuest use in Nursing Education. Further study and use of WebQuests in Nursing Education is recommended.