Nursing Education and Games, Imagery & Mindfulness, Poster Presentation and Self Learning Modules
Games as Learning In Nursing Education
An educational game is a learning activity
with rules involving chance showcasing the players’ knowledge or skill in
attempting to reach a specific learning outcome. This strategy may be completed
online or in class, and is suited for inter professional “ice breaker”
assignments. Gaming software is available for online use.
Teaching Tips for Game Learning In Nursing Education
Use a gaming method for reinforcement of knowledge rather than introduction of new knowledge. An open learning environment is crucial to learning with gaming. Faculty must back out; the learning is student to student in this method.
Debriefing after the game is critical so students clearly connect the game with
the important concepts. If faculty do not value gaming as a teaching strategy,
they may unconsciously sabotage the game.
Advantages of Game Learning In Nursing Education
Gaming increases student engagement and cognitive and affective learning, improves retention, is fun and exciting, increases learner involvement, motivates the learner, and can help connect practice experiences to theory.
Students can learn from each other through the experience of the game; it is good for adult learners who take more responsibility for their own learning.
Learners can receive immediate feedback
in a learning situation and can also see the immediate application of theory to
practice. Learning from gaming lasts longer when compared with learning from
traditional lecture.
Disadvantages of Game Learning In Nursing Education
Gaming may be threatening to some learners who may feel exposed if they are unsure of the answer. It may be time consuming and may be costly to purchase or develop. It may be difficult to evaluate the level of learning achieved through gaming if several players are involved.
It
may require a greater amount of space. It should have introductory and summary
sessions, and faculty must set guidelines so the game remains educational.
Imagery and Mindfulness In Nursing Education
Imagery and mindfulness include mental
picturing, diagramming, or rehearsal before the actual use of the information
in practice. The best use is in combination with other strategies (e.g., with
physical practice in psychomotor skill acquisition).
Teaching Tips for Imagery Learning In Nursing Education
Create a scenario that mimics a real-life situation. Use the scenario to demonstrate effective use of imagery. Relaxation techniques provide a good example of how to use imagery techniques.
A
supportive classroom environment is needed for the effective use of this
strategy. This technique may be helpful for stress reduction for students and
its application to nursing practice.
Advantage of Imagery Learning In Nursing Education
Imagery and mindfulness techniques provide
superior learning of psychomotor skills when imagery is combined with physical
practice. It may lead to the development of therapeutic and holistic nursing
skills in practice.
Disadvantages of Imagery Learning In Nursing Education
Individuals have varying levels of innate imagery skills, so some students may need to be taught how to conduct imagery. It does not provide a substitute for physical practice of a skill.
Using imagery and physical practice of the skill will require more student study time than if only physical practice is used. Stress and performance fears may interfere with the productive use of imagery. It may require faculty development to implement imagery strategy.
Poster Presentation In Nursing Education
A poster is a visual representation of
learning outcomes. This project may be completed online, is well suited for
peer or inter professional learning, and provides opportunities for
dissemination of knowledge.
Teaching Tips for Poster Presentation In Nursing Education
Students may need instructions about how to
design a poster. Clear guidelines of the expected poster contents, as well as
evaluation techniques will need to be developed and presented to students.
Poster quality may be enhanced when artistic concepts are incorporated in the
poster design. Software is available for creating visually pleasing posters.
Advantages of Poster Presentation In Nursing Education
Students can convey complex ideas through posters and making posters can facilitate student creativity. Assessment of students’ knowledge can be showcased through the use of posters. Students can receive feedback from peers as well as faculty. Students get a sense of achievement from producing posters.
The skills developed in the production of a
poster may be valuable for students after graduation. Posters can be used to
showcase student work publically in professional conferences or student poster
displays. Evaluation of posters by faculty or peers can be completed quickly
using guidelines or grading rubrics.
Disadvantages of Poster Presentation In Nursing Education
Faculty time is required to develop a
poster assignment and evaluation techniques. The assignment can be frustrating
to students who are not visual learners. Evidence See Briggs (2009),
Christenbery and Latham (2012), and Sterman and colleagues (2013).
Self Learning Modules In Nursing Education
Self-learning modules include information on one concept presented according to a few specific objectives in a format that allows skipping of a section if the student has previously mastered the content.
A module typically includes self checks (pretests, posttests) of student learning throughout the self contained module. This format is ideal for the flipped classroom pre class assignments before in class meetings for foundational knowledge.
Teaching Tips for Self Learning Modules In Nursing Education
A self-learning module has many distinct
sections. It can be used for a single class period, an entire course,
enrichment, or remedial learning. Also, it may be created online and used in
blended learning teaching modalities. Students may complete the modules in
preparation for in class learning objectives.
Advantages of Self Learning Modules In Nursing Education
A module is good for adult learners who may have limited study times; it gives students options of when and where learning will occur. Learning can occur without the presence of the teacher and is flexible according to learner needs.
Modules are good for teaching psychomotor skills. They have been found to
enhance learning over combined lecture and discussion methods. It is an
effective method of learning for intrinsically motivated students.
Disadvantages of Self Learning Modules In Nursing Education
Students may procrastinate and not complete work in a timely manner. The module may be costly in faculty time to prepare and update.
Give your opinion if have any.