Nursing students' use of collaborative computer technology to create family and community assessment instruments

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Community Health Nursing
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Community health nursing clinical courses require students to develop assessment skills.
• Traditional methods of instrument design can be time-consuming and less engaging for students.
• Integrating technology in nursing education offers potential benefits for collaborative learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of collaboratively designing a family or community assessment instrument using computer technology.
• To assess the impact of technology on the group process during instrument design.
• To analyze the learning experiences of students involved in this innovative approach.

Main Methods:

• Four groups of undergraduate nursing students participated in the study.
• Students collaboratively designed a family or community assessment instrument.
• Innovative computer technology was utilized throughout the design process.
• Student perceptions were evaluated regarding instrument ownership and the group process.

Main Results:

• Students reported an enhanced sense of ownership over the assessment instrument they co-designed.
• The computer-assisted design process was perceived positively by students.
• Technology facilitated a more positive group experience compared to non-technology-assisted methods.
• Students' learning experiences were analyzed and discussed.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative design of assessment instruments using computer technology fosters student ownership.
• Technology integration in nursing education can positively influence group dynamics and learning experiences.
• This approach offers a valuable pedagogical strategy for community health nursing clinical courses.