title: eLearning techniques supporting problem based learning in clinical simulation.
abstract: This paper details the results of the first phase of a project using eLearning to support students' learning within a simulated environment. The locus was a purpose built clinical simulation laboratory (CSL) where the School's philosophy of problem based learning (PBL) was challenged through lecturers using traditional teaching methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  a student-centred, problem based approach to the acquisition of clinical skills that used high quality learning objects embedded within web pages, substituting for lecturers providing instruction and demonstration. This encouraged student nurses to explore, analyse and make decisions within the safety of a clinical simulation. Learning was facilitated through network communications and reflection on video performances of self and others. Evaluations were positive, students demonstrating increased satisfaction with PBL, improved performance in exams, and increased self-efficacy in the performance of nursing activities. These results indicate that eLearning techniques can help students acquire clinical skills in the safety of a simulated environment within the context of a problem based learning curriculum.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 OBA, Scotland, UK. c.a.docherty@gcal.ac.uk
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Docherty
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoy
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Topp
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trinder
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D006113:United Kingdom