title: Nurse teachers' perceptions of information technology: a study of nurse teachers in Northern Ireland.
abstract: This paper presents the results of a brief study of Northern Ireland nurse educators' perceptions of information technology (IT) in nurse education. The study focuses on training, computer use, student assessment, and future trends. The results indicate that although there remain tutors who have not received any formal training in computer use, the majority want to use computers and recognize their need for competence. While training would appear to have a positive effect on their perceived level of competence and computer knowledge, the study identifies factors which contribute to the restricted use of computer assisted learning (CAL). Student assessment varies across the province and findings of the study indicate that although many changes have taken place, staff expect more in the future. They identify a need for policies that include training programmes, competence assessment, appropriate technology, and networking.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. m.sinclair@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching; D000078329:Workforce