Computer Teaching Strategies
Advantages:
1. Mastery Learning Support: Computers allow learners to spend as much time as
needed to achieve mastery, promoting a nonjudgmental and patient learning
environment.
2. Instant Feedback: Computer programs provide immediate and personalized feedback,
enhancing the learning experience.
3. Overlearning: Computers facilitate overlearning, ensuring skills become automatic and
enhancing preparedness for higher levels of learning.
4. Cognitive Residue Effect: Skills acquired during computer interaction can be
transferred to other situations, promoting a broader understanding of concepts.
5. Interactivity: Learners actively engage with the material, responding to questions,
manipulating variables, and solving problems.
Additional Advantages:
● Instructional Consistency: Computer programs offer consistent instruction across
learners, ensuring uniformity in educational content.
● Reduction of Repetitive Tasks: Computers eliminate the monotony of repetitive tasks
for educators, allowing them to focus on more creative aspects of teaching.
● Individualized Instruction: Learners can work at their own pace, skip ahead if familiar
with the material, and receive tailored feedback.
● Time Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness: Computer instruction has been shown to
save time compared to traditional methods, offering cost-effective solutions.
Drawbacks:
1. Educator Comfort Level: Some educators may face obstacles due to a lack of comfort or
skills with computer instruction.
2. Initial Cost: The initial investment in hardware and software can be expensive, potentially
hindering widespread adoption without grant funding.
3. Impact on Communication: The shift to computer-based learning raises concerns about
changes in interpersonal communication within nursing practice.
Types of Computer-Assisted Instruction:
1. Drill and Practice:
● Involves repetition and application of previously learned information.
● Effective for topics requiring memorization, such as drug names and medical
terminology.
2. Tutorial Mode:
● Teaches a body of knowledge through information presentation, questions, and hints.
● Useful for teaching rule and concept-level material, freeing educators from basic content
delivery.
Considerations for Successful Implementation:
1. Alignment with Objectives: CAI programs should align with instructional objectives and
maintain high-quality content.
2. Access and Support: Learners need sufficient access to computers, and technical
support is crucial for effective implementation.
3. Appropriateness: Evaluating whether computer-based instruction is the best method for
a given content area is essential for success.
Types of CAI:
1. Tutorials:
● Interactive lectures with built-in feedback.
● Creative development, especially with graphics.
2. Games:
● Utilize game modes to teach nursing concepts.
● Limited nursing game programs due to complexity.
3. Simulations:
● Exciting form of CAI, providing real-world experiences.
● Allows students to make clinical decisions in a controlled environment.
4. Multimedia Presentations:
● Incorporate text, sound, graphics, animation, and video clips.
● Can be saved on laptops or produced as CD-ROMs.
5. Interactive Videodisc (IVD) Programs:
● Combine written programs with video clips.
● Require additional video disk players and are costlier.
Evaluation Criteria for Software:
● Accuracy of content according to published nursing knowledge.
● Clarity and ease of following instructions.
● Up-to-date information.
● Presence of a tutorial and telephone support service.
● User's guide availability.
● Built-in interactivity and frequency.
● Effectiveness in making content interesting.
● Purposeful use of animation and graphics.
CAI for Patient Education:
● Logical progression for systematic and documented patient education.
● Customized patient handouts generated at a reasonable cost.
● Interactive CAI software available for tailored health instructions.
● Research indicates better retention and readability of tailored instructions.
CAI for Nursing Students and Staff:
● Extensive application in basic nursing education.
● Programs available for teaching various skills and medical conditions.
● Computer labs for nursing staff development on diverse topics.
Research on Effectiveness:
● Studies show either equal or higher performance of CAI groups in content examinations.
● CAI found at least as effective, if not more effective, than traditional pedagogy.
● Studies on attitudes show small differences favoring CAI, with better attitudes toward
subject matter.
Considerations for Implementation:
● Ensure proper fit between CAI program and learning objectives.
● Evaluate user-friendliness, flexibility, and readability of the program.
● Review software reviews in nursing journals and on the internet for additional insights.
Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) presents diverse modes that enhance nursing education,
from tutorials to simulations. While research supports its effectiveness, careful consideration of
program content, user experience, and alignment with learning objectives is crucial for
successful implementation.
Computer-Managed Instruction:
1. Test Development Programs:
● Enable educators to create, administer, and grade computer-based tests.
● Perform item analysis for improved assessment.
2. Record Keeping:
● Includes tracking grades, attendance records, and student profiles.
● Used for scheduling clinical agencies, assignments, and rotations.
3. Authoring Systems:
● Allow educators without programming skills to develop Computer-Assisted Instruction
(CAI).
● Provide flexibility and cost-effectiveness in creating personalized CAI programs.
4. Using the Computer as a Tool:
● Word processing for efficient writing.
● Utilized as a search tool for information retrieval.
● Patient care management within hospital information systems.
The Internet:
1. E-mail:
● Enhances collaboration between teachers, students, and healthcare professionals.
● Supports patient-physician communication, referrals, consultations, and follow-ups.
2. News Groups:
● Discussion groups for people with similar interests.
● Provides a platform for online support groups.
3. World Wide Web (WWW):
● Access to a vast collection of documents on Web pages.
● Utilized for research, patient education, and multimedia presentations.
4. Web Searches:
● Efficient use of search engines and metasearch engines for information retrieval.
● Criteria for evaluating the credibility and quality of websites.
Virtual Reality in Nursing Education:
1. Applications:
● Used in medical schools for surgical simulations, cadaver dissection, and epidural
training.
● Programs developed for nursing education, such as venipuncture simulations.
2. Advantages:
● Allows learners to actively participate in simulated scenarios.
● Enhances practice of complex and invasive procedures in a safe environment.
3. Drawbacks:
● High development and maintenance costs.
● Limited research on the transfer of skills from virtual reality to real-world settings.
4. Future Outlook:
● Predictions of increased affordability with improved technology.
● Caution needed in assuming automatic real-world performance based on virtual reality
training.
Advanced computer applications in nursing education extend beyond traditional instruction.
Computer-Managed Instruction, utilization of the Internet, and the emergence of virtual reality
bring innovative tools that enhance learning, assessment, and patient education. The ongoing
exploration of technology trends is essential for nurse educators to stay at the forefront of
educational methodologies.
