title: Evaluation of a web-based graduate continuing nursing education program in Japan: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Web-based learning provides educational opportunities for students who are independent and self-directed. While the complexities of educational outcomes of web-based learning have not yet been completely documented, further studies are required using rigorous research design techniques to study the outcomes of web-based learning as compared to traditional face-to-face learning. The purposes of this study were to: (1) assess the learner outcomes of web-based learning as compared to face-to-face learning group, and (2) explore methods that maximize the use of web-based learning for continuing nursing education. A randomized controlled trial of web-based learning in comparison to face-to-face lectures for registered nurses or midwives was conducted. One hundred and one nurses and midwives were eligible to participate and 93 were randomized, 45 for the web-based learning and 48 for the face-to face group. Thirty-seven (82.2%) completed the web-based learning and 33 (68.8%) the face-to-face program. There was no difference in the post-test scores between the web-based learning group (mean=76.2) and the face-to-face learning group (mean=79.4) (t=0.66, df=68, p=0.51). There were three distinct advantages to the web-based group, even though both group demonstrated the same learning outcomes. First the dropout rate was lower in the web-based program. Second the flexibility of web-based learning was reported by several participants. Finally, web-based learning was attractive to an affordable for a wide age range of the nurses.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's College of Nursing, 10-1 Akashi-Cyo, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. shigeko-horiuchi@slcn.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shigeko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horiuchi
authors.forename: Yukari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yaju
authors.forename: Miki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koyo
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakyo
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020375:Education, Distance; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation