title: Bringing problem based learning to life using virtual reality.
abstract: Recent UK government policy advocates the need for a more flexible approach to nurse education and ;Fitness for Practice' stresses the importance of information technology and computer mediated learning facilities in the future of nursing education [Department of Health, Making a Difference, Strengthening the Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Contribution to Health Care, Department of Health, 1999; The United Kingdom Central Council For Nursing, Fitness for Practice, The UKCC Commission for Nursing and Midwifery Education, 1999]. In response to this recommendation, a virtual reality package has been designed as a learning resource within adult pre-registration nursing education. This learning and teaching strategy is used in conjunction with problem based learning, enabling students to visualise individual/family life in a community setting. Students are encouraged to consider wider issues such as social and environmental factors and their impact upon health. The virtual reality package acts as one of a number of triggers. This paper will discuss the early development and offer an example of its use as a learning and teaching strategy within year two of a three year programme.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturers, Adult Nursing, School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Surtees