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Rationale/Background: The new generation of nursing students prefers using technology over other methods to learn information. The use of SMART phones, e-readers, blogs, Twitter and many other virtual learning opportunities have become the norm for those of the ‘net’ generation. To engage these students, nurse educators need to embrace 21st century technology that advances and promotes evidence-based life-long learning.
Description: Several technologic innovations were used to augment the teaching of EBP/scholarly inquiry. For example, students were encouraged to use their cell phones in class in an on-line audience response program that allowed them to use cell phones to answer questions anonymously and view their responses in real time. Other forms of technology included video clips to demonstrate ethical principles, research dissemination, writing tips and other material, and during a library experience, students used iPads to access and critique internet based resources for their level of EBP. On-line games were also used to test knowledge and application of research principles, and written papers were graded electronically using a program that checks for originality and grammar issues. Finally, at the end of the semester, students presented information to classmates using technology.
Outcomes Achieved/Conclusions
Students in courses where innovative technology was utilized had high satisfaction scores. They were engaged and felt like contributing members of the class. Students particularly enjoyed ‘voting’ by cell phone and reported this as a non threatening way to gauge their understanding of concepts. Teaching with technology can be a rewarding experience for both students and faculty. Using technology in the classroom however, may require additional education of faculty members and initially take more time to initiate. The rewards, however, are well worth the extra effort.