title: This new house: building knowledge through online learning.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand from baccalaureate-degree nursing students the experience of virtual learning in nursing and to understand how online education enhanced and detracted from learning. Three in-depth, focus-group interviews were conducted with a total of 27 baccalaureate nursing students. Hermeneutic phenomenology was employed to analyze the narrative data. Seven themes were identified from the data. The first theme was "making the framework": (1) providing flexibility; (2) enabling students through observing, guiding, and modeling; (3) faculty as facilitators; and (4) questioning as method. The second theme was "building incredible dialogue": (1) having great discussions, (2) sharing ideas/knowledge, and (3) not being inhibited. The third theme was "critical thinking--the 3-D effect": (1) sitting with the words, (2) using references/research, (3) seeing a variety of perspectives, (4) critiquing self and others, and (5) using selective language. The fourth theme was "personal and professional growth": (1) being connected, (2) feeling valued and respected, and (3) having intimate relationships. The fifth theme, representing the outcomes for online courses, was "more comprehensive learning": (1) deeper understanding and (2) better retention of knowledge. The sixth theme was "being overwhelmed", and the seventh theme was "being frustrated". As a result of this study, an understanding of the phenomenon of online learning was developed. The findings provide direction for future development of the pedagogy of distance learning.
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA. lrobley@kennesaw.edu
authors.forename: Lois R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Robley
authors.forename: Beverly J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Farnsworth
authors.forename: Janice B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Horne
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005639:Frustration; D005845:Georgia; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D033262:Narration; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*