title: Best practices in Web-based courses: generational differences across undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
abstract: The demand for online courses is greatly increasing across all levels of the curriculum in higher education. With this change in teaching and learning strategies comes the need for quality control to determine best practices in online learning communities. This study examines the differences in student perceptions of the use of technology, educational practices, and outcomes between undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Web-based courses. The multisite study uses the benchmarking process and the Flashlight Program Evaluating Educational Uses of the Web in Nursing survey instrument to study best practices and examine generational differences between the two groups of students. The outcomes of the study establish benchmarks for quality improvement in online learning. The results support the educational model for online learning and postulates about generational differences for future study.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Billings
authors.forename: Diane J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Skiba
authors.forename: Helen R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Connors
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000458:organization & administration; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D017749:Total Quality Management