| Learning Objective #1: Develop an awareness of the continuing nursing shortage in rural and remote areas along with potential solutions | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Understand the key requirements for delivery of a nursing education program to distant students using streaming video |
Red River College's (RRC), nursing department has initiated streaming video technology for an 18 month pilot program to deliver nursing education to three rural areas of Manitoba. Streaming video technology has proven to be effective, reliable, and a successful use of technology for learning purposes. This strategy offers rural and remote students equal and fair access to the nursing program.
The use of streaming video as an education delivery system removes the most significant barriers, that of: a) finding adequately prepared nursing faculty, b) maintaining curricular integrity, c) reducing faculty costs by using current nursing faculty, and d) eliminating or reducing the amount of time for licensing/accreditation consultation and approval.
Students remain in their communities, instructors teach classes from the main RRC college campus, and theory is delivered synchronously to distant sites. One of the greatest advantages is the ability to share Red River College nursing faculty. In this option, nursing faculty teach local and rural students synchronously by using this technology. Overall, streaming video allows education delivery at reduced cost to students.
Red River College has initiated a pilot program using an innovative delivery strategy addressing rural and remote nursing education needs. This strategy explores the potential of using innovative streaming video technology to link faculty and students in a virtual classroom.