Honey, M. (2007). Teaching and learning with technology as enabler: A case study on flexible learning for postgraduate nurses. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the practice of flexible learning for postgraduate nurses. Flexible learning is a contemporary approach to learning that utilises the benefits of technology. Flexible learning can be understood as a continuum, from fully on-line or web-based courses, to those that are on-campus and supported by technology. Internationally, the rise of flexible learning has been influenced by increased demand for higher education and competition among providers within the context of reduced education funding. The study population, New Zealand postgraduate nurses, are accessing higher education in increasing numbers to advance their practice and to position themselves for new roles and opportunities. These are often experienced nurses yet inexperienced in higher university education, who combine study, work and other commitments. The study employed a qualitative case study design because it enabled multiple perspectives to be gained. Data included documentation, participant observation, survey, students' assessed work and interviews with key stakeholders: student, teacher and the organisation. Thematic analysis was conducted on reviewed documentation, participant observation and interviews. The study identifies the elements that contribute to flexible learning and the interconnectedness between the elements within the dynamic context of a university to illustrate that effective flexible learning can be provided by using a student centred approach to ensure the learning needs of postgraduate nurses are met. The author concludes that flexible learning improved access, choice, and provided an emphasis on the student as central to learning. In response to these findings the weighting of recommendations are toward the organisation as, the author suggests, it is at this level where greater change can be made to improve support for flexible learning provision.
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Hickson, E. K. (2006). Developing clinical learning environment evaluation tools using an action research methodology. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: The author notes that learning nurses require real clinical experiences in order to apply learnt theory to actual practice. Clinical learning environments have consistently been found to function variably and sub-optimally for both learners and teachers. In order to improve the quality of the clinical learning environment it is necessary to first evaluate how effectively a clinical learning environment is functioning. A number of different methodologies have been used to evaluate clinical learning environments, a recent and successful method being the use of questionnaires or clinical learning environment evaluation tools. The objective of the present study was to develop clinical learning environment evaluation tools for use in a New Zealand hospital health service. Four tools appropriate to evaluate the clinical learning environment from the different perspectives of any type of clinical learner, clinical teacher, clinical manager and programme co-ordinator or nurse lecturer were developed. Six newly graduated nurses, three senior nurses, and the researcher were involved in the development of the evaluation tools over a five month period. A participatory action research methodology was employed. The resultant tools had a unique local focus and were suitably similar to other internationally developed tools. After testing the clinical learning environment evaluation tools, it is hoped that the implementation of the tools will support all stakeholders to understand and consequently optimise the functionality of their clinical learning environment.
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Vallant, S. R., & Neville, S. J. (2006). The relationship between student nurse and nurse clinician: Impact on student learning. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 22(3), 23–33.
Abstract: The purpose of this descriptive interpretive study was to explore relationships between student nurses and nurse clinicians. Eleven student nurses at the end of a three year Bachelor of Nursing programme in one institution participated in focus group interviews. Data gathered from the three focus groups were analysed using an inductive approach. Five categories, namely 'being invisible in the relationship', 'not stepping on toes', 'lost opportunities for learning', 'nurturance' and 'reciprocity' emerged from data analysis. These are presented with appropriate quotes to demonstrate the essence of participant experiences. Findings indicated that when students experienced relationships with clinicians as not being positive, this inhibited learning. Conversely, when students saw the clinician as participating actively and positively in the student/clinician relationship then student learning was enhanced. This evidence forms the basis for recommending further complementary research into the clinician's attitudes and perceptions related to their teaching role.
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Vallance, E., & Scott, S. (2003). A critique of problem-based learning in nursing education and the contribution it can make toward beginning professional practice, part one. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 19(2), 41–51.
Abstract: Within New Zealand nursing education there appears to be a widespread acceptance of problem-based learning and an assumption that the strategies it uses are unproblematic. A review of the literature however, reveals that problem-based learning has drawbacks that may inhibit the achievement of desired graduate outcomes. It seems timely for nurse educators to exercise caution in uncritically accepting problem-based learning approaches and using them as the predominant approach to teaching and learning. To this end, a two-part critique of this teaching and learning method is presented. Part one critiques the methods of problem-based learning, discussing self-directed learning, the group process, self-assessment, and content knowledge. Part two explores the philosophical underpinnings of problem-based learning, and the so-called 'fit' within nursing.
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Dyson, L. (2000). The role of the lecturer in the preceptor model of clinical teaching. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 16(3), 16–24.
Abstract: This article reports on a descriptive study undertaken within a school of nursing where the author was formerly employed. The study explored the role of the lecturer within the preceptorship model of clinical teaching. It uses an exploratory/descriptive, qualitative approach to interviewing 12 lecturers. The findings demonstrate the educational orientation of the lecturer role and also highlight the tension that continues to exist between the world of education and the world of practice.
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Dyson, L., Entwistle, M., Macdiarmaid, R., Marshall, D. C., & Simpson, S. M. (2000). Three approaches to use of questioning by clinical lecturesers [lecturers]: A pilot study. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 15(1), 13–22.
Abstract: The author investigates the types of questions asked of students by lecturers working within the preceptorship model in the clinical setting. A sample of five volunteer nursing lecturers had their interactions with undergraduate students recorded. The data is analysed using two auditing approaches and qualitative content analysis.
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Thompson, R., & Farrow, T. (1999). The Workbook Portfolio: Facilitating undergraduate student learning in the mental health clinical area. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 14(2), 21–30.
Abstract: This article describes the use of a model that has been developed to assist students in tackling the complex issues surrounding mental health nursing. The Workbook Portfolio has identifiable components that encourage the development of reflective and analytical skills, which allow nurses to practice within an environment that is influenced and determined by a complex, and sometimes contradictory, range of external influences. The article explains the workings of this model so it can be used by educators to for students in the mental health setting.
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Walker, J., & Bailey, S. (1999). The clinical performance of new degree graduates. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 14(2), 31–42.
Abstract: This study aimed to identify how graduates perceived their clinical performance during their first year of practice. A convenience sample of 30 graduates was surveyed after 3 months and 7 months in practice, using an adapted form of a questionnaire devised by Ryan and Hodson (1992). The results showed that over time, graduates generally required less direction in all areas of clinical competence. After 7 months in practice, the majority of the graduates rated their performance in nursing skills, communication skills, and professionalism at the expected level or above. However, some still required direction with using theory and research in practice, with meeting client's psychosocial needs and with teaching clients. In the leadership competency, after 7 months, most graduates saw themselves functioning at the expected level related to client care and needed less direction in unit management skills. However, many of the unit management skills were rated as 'not applicable' indicating that new graduates are not initially placed in a management role. Implications for nursing education and limitations of the research are discussed.
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Gallagher, P. (2000). An evaluation of a standards based portfolio [Corrected and republished article printed in NURSE EDUC TODAY 2001 Apr; 21(3): 197-200]. Nurse Education Today, 20(3), 218–226.
Abstract: This study is an evaluation of student perceptions of a standards based portfolio, which is a is a series of student work that seeks to address pre-determined learning outcomes. Of interest to the study was the relationship between theory and practice, the availability of resources to complete the assignment and the contribution the portfolio made to the process of learning. For a particular unit of learning, 'Nursing Business', second year undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Nursing programme were required to complete a portfolio. The assessment directed the students to meet specific criteria which in turn reflected the learning outcomes.
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Walker, J., Bailey, S., Brasell-Brian, R., & Gould, S. (2001). Evaluating a problem based learning course: An action research study. Contemporary Nurse, 10(1/2), 30–38.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the New Zealand style of problem based learning was developing students' understanding and integration of knowledge. The 'pure' problem based learning process has been adapted to move students gradually from teacher direction to taking responsibility for their learning. Two cycles of an action research method were used, involving 4 lecturers and 17 students. Data was collected both quantitatively and qualitatively over a 16-week period. Findings indicated the importance of: explaining the purpose and process of problem based learning; communicating in detail the role of both students and lecturers; keeping communication lines open; addressing timetabling issues and valuing this method of learning for nursing practice. Implications for nursing education are addressed.
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Honey, M. (2004). Flexible learning for postgraduate nurses: A basis for planning. Nurse Education Today, 24(4), 319–325.
Abstract: This paper describes a survey undertaken with postgraduate nursing students in a university-based school of nursing in 2002 to establish their access to and use of computers and information technology for study. Whilst there was minimal flexibility and use of technology to support student learning for postgraduate nurses in the school, the university proposed increasing flexibility across all courses. This is in part a response to the increased internationalisation of education and developments in technology affecting programme design, delivery and support that can benefit teachers and students. The author notes that the findings of this survey form a basis for planning the introduction of flexible learning. Results indicated that not all students have convenient access to technology for study purposes, nor are they at the same level in terms of using technology.
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Honey, M., North, N., & Gunn, C. (2006). Improving library services for graduate nurse students in New Zealand. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 23(2), 102–109.
Abstract: This paper describes a collaboration between library staff and nurse educators, where information literacy skills are strengthened and embedded in the curriculum. A case-study approach was used with both quantitative and qualitative data. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all nurses enrolled in graduate courses in the second semester of 2002. Interviews were then undertaken with library staff. It was found that the university library services were not used by 43% of graduate nursing students . The library staff responded by developing a number of initiatives which aimed to improve awareness of services, access and provide education in a bid to improve literacy skills.
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Friedel, J., & Treagust, D. F. (2005). Learning bioscience in nursing education: Perceptions of the intended and the prescribed curriculum. Learning in Health & Social Care, 4(4), 203–216.
Abstract: This study used a curriculum inquiry framework to investigate the perceptions of 184 nursing students and nurse educators in relation to bioscience in the nursing curriculum. Nursing students were found to have significantly more positive attitudes to bioscience in nursing education than nurse educators, and nurse educators were not found to have significantly better self-efficacy in bioscience than the students, although this might have been expected. The results of focus group discussions, used to investigate this in more depth, suggested that some nurse educators and clinical preceptors may not have sufficient science background or bioscience knowledge, to help nursing students apply bioscience knowledge to practice. As a result of this, it is suggested that the aims of the intended and prescribed nursing curricula are not being fulfilled in the implemented curriculum.
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Manning, J. (2005). Formative assessment: Using feedback to enhance learning. In J. McDrury (Ed.), Nursing matters: A reader for teaching and learning in the clinical setting (pp. 47-65). Dunedin: Otago Polytechnic.
Abstract: This paper explores the literature surrounding the development, definition, process and value of formative feedback. In particular, this review considers how formative assessment can be used by a clinical educator in the practice setting. At the end of the chapter, discussion questions are provided by Rebecca Hennephof.
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Latta, L. (2005). Reflective storytelling to enhance learning from practice experience. In J. McDrury (Ed.), Nursing matters: A reader for teaching and learning in the clinical setting (pp.67-82).. Dunedin: Otago Polytechnic.
Abstract: The author looks at the value of using reflective storytelling as a teaching/learning tool in the hospice setting and examines constructs that provide a theoretical underpinning. She also outlines processes that support the implementation of storytelling practice and the creation of a safe space for storytelling. At the end of the chapter, discussion questions are provided by Janice McDrury.
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