Principal applicant

Mary Kelly

School or Unit

School of Nursing

Additional Applicants

Mary McGrath, School of Nursing, mary.mcgrath@DCU.ie

Colette Lyng, School of Nursing, colette.lyng@DCU.ie

Caron McMahon, School of Nursing, caron.mcmahon@DCU.ie

Gerald Cannon, School of Nursing, gerald.cannon@DCU.ie

Amount requested

6945

Summary description

This project is concerned with:

a)Promoting the use of Student Managed Learning in the acquisition of clinical nursing skills in the BSc. (Honours) Nursing programme

b)Building on online media library for use by students, staff and colleagues in our partner health service providers

A key element of this programme is the teaching of nursing skills in the Nursing Skills Centre, through demonstration and practice.

The Nursing Skills Centre replicates the healthcare setting and provides a supportive, controlled environment for students to learn and practice their skills before they enter the real world of nursing practice.

In this project it is intended to develop a series of instructional videos relating to fundamental nursing skills for Year 1 nursing students. The videos will be made available through Moodle and CHASEtown for students who are registered for specific nursing modules. They will replace the lecturer demonstration element of skills teaching.

In this project it is intended to develop a series of instructional videos relating to fundamental nursing skills for Year 1 nursing students. The videos will be made available through Moodle and CHASEtown for students who are registered for specific nursing modules. They will replace the lecturer demonstration element of skills teaching.

Project URL

http://

Strategic Objectives

Sub-Objectives 1.1; 1.3; 2.2 and 3.1

Strategic Context

This application is informed by the themes of the DCU Strategic Plan `Technology through Foresight'. It seeks to exploit the use of information technology through the provision of innovative learning methods. It is more specifically related to the guiding principle of the DCU Learning Innovation Strategy 2006-2008 which seeks to create `a learning environment where all students can access a range of pedagogical and technological innovations appropriate to their needs'. It will further the aims, articulated in the Learning Innovation Strategy of moving towards increased Student Managed Learning. Aimed primarily for Year 1 students, it represents the first phase of a project designed to foster a culture of inquiry-based learning early in the programme. The next phase will involve the development of online learning workbooks relating to the relevant topics. The project will also ensure that students are provided with a mix of educational technologies to support their learning.

Implementation Plan

The project will be carried out in the Nursing Skills Centre by the following; Colette Lyng and Caron McMahon, Nursing Skills Centre Nurses, Mary Kelly, Lecturer, Mary McGrath, Manager Skills Centre/Lecturer and Gerald Cannon, Audio- Visual and Communication Technician.

The project meets the following sub-objectives in the DCU Learning Innovation Strategy 2006-2008:

1.1 Develop a culture of inquiry-based learning

1.3 Student Managed Learning

2.2 Mixed Mode Provision to support alternative learning

3.1 Support for new learners

The assumptions of constructivism form the pedagogical basis. Knowledge is believed to be constructed by individuals as they attempt to make sense of their experiences (Guba and Lincoln, 1989). The student is regarded as the centre of the learning situation, and the teacher adopts a role as coach or facilitator.

Using computer assisted learning has several advantages for the development of skills. It can reinforce factual information and develop problem solving skills, enabling students to study at their own pace and gain a feeling of ownership of their learning (Conrick, 1998) It also allows for self-directed learning, which empowers students to take responsibility for their own learning early in their career, and is identified as a positive approach to the acquisition of skills by Gee et al (1998), Guy & Frisby (1992) and Deanicis (1997).

Eight clinical nursing skills have been identified for video production. Scripts are currently being developed and the videos will be filmed in the Nursing Skills Centre in July and August 2006. They will then be stored on the main computer server for onlione access by students, staff and other parties.

The videos will be embedded in a Year 1 module and incorporated into the taught contact time. They will also be linked to CHASEtown where students can access them for review and revision in subsequent years.

Impact

The videos are intended as an alternative teaching method for nursing skills. They will replace lecturer's face-to-face demonstration and facilitate Student Managed Learning. Students will view the videos, in their own time, prior to facilitated practice sessions in the Nursing Skills Centre.

This initiative has the capacity to meet the needs of individual students who may want to see the demonstration a number of times. The traditional method does not facilitate the individual needs of students, hence the need to develop more student- centred methods. In addition it will reduce the high numbers of lecturers normally needed to teach clinical nursing skills.

The usefulness of the videos will be evaluated by a survey of students, lecturers and other users. In addition, ongoing feedback will be requested from clinical staff in our partner services regarding student's performance in these skills.

Dissemination and Sustainability

This project has potential for wide dissemination. Students and lecturers will use the videos in the School of Nursing. They will also be useful to the wider DCU community. For example, they could be accessed by staff working in the University Health Centre and the Healthy Living Centre / Swift Care. Our partner services could avail of these videos to ensure health professionals are using up-to-date, consistent practices.

Evaluation and research results will be presented at conferences and published in relevant nursing and higher education journals, nationally and internationally.

The videos will form part of the continually accessible virtual learning environment. As they concentrate on fundamental nursing skills they will provide a valuable, research-based, up-to-date resource that can be referred to throughout the training programme and beyond. This will ensure their sustainability and long-term benefit.

Detailed budget

The School of Nursing already has the necessary audio-visual equipment, furniture and personnel qualified to script, film and edit the videos. As these resources do not need to be purchased or hired the cost of the project can be kept to a minimum thus ensuring a favourable cost/benefit ratio. It is estimated that it will take two weeks to film the videos after which editing can be done by `in-house' personnel.

Costs

Actors to play 'patients' (5 videos only) €5000.00

Equipment (Note 1) €745.00

Consultancy for 3 days (statistical analysis of survey) €1200.00

Total cost €6945.00

Note 1 (Breakdown of equipment costs)

General equipment for all videos €225.00

Equipment for admission to care setting video €183.00 Equipment for eating and drinking video €166.00

Equipment for elimination video € 36.00

Equipment for hygiene video € 43.00

Equipment for oxygen therapy video € 72.00

Equipment for infection control video € 20.00

Equipment for temperature measurementvideo € 0.00

Equipment for patient positioning video € 0.00

In return for a once off cost, this project will provide a continually accessible learning resource for nursing students and other interested parties. It will provide visual and verbal (voiceover) representations of various fundamental nursing skills thus ensuring that all learning styles are catered for. Furthermore they will ensure that the material is delivered in a consistent manner to all students.

Other Information

A pilot video, "Aseptic Technique" was produced and successfully evaluated in semester 2, 2004/05. This video will provide a template for the planned videos, as well as providing proof of concept and helping to ensure accurate budgeting figures.