Development of a virtual learning environment to enhance undergraduate nursing students' effectiveness and interest in working with older people.
Throughout the world populations are aging and there is a concomitant global need for increasing numbers of nurses who are skilled in working with older people. The aim of this study was to develop a web-based resource for use in nursing schools to help educate undergraduate nursing students about working effectively with older people. This paper details the process of developing the working with older people website, www.workingwitholderpeople.edu.au, which was launched at the end of 2006. The working with older people website was designed for use as a stand alone or self directed program and/or as a set of modules suitable for integration within individual undergraduate nursing programs. The resource is unique in its portrayal of older adults and the challenges they face in a way that is appealing to undergraduate students, and engages them in meaningful learning activities, based on authentic cases, while also providing comprehensive resources and links.
Edwards
Helen
H
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, N Block, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Nash
Robyn
R
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, N Block, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Sacre
Sandra
S
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, N Block, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Courtney
Mary
M
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, N Block, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Abbey
Jennifer
J
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, N Block, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002321:Career Choice; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011287:Prejudice; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011793:Queensland; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface