Building life-long learning capacity in undergraduate nursing freshmen within an integrative and small group learning context.
BACKGROUND
Life-long learning involves the development of skills in critical thinking (CT), effective group process (GP), and self-directedness (SDL). Recent studies have shown that small group learning with active interactions is effective in enabling students to develop themselves as independent learners beyond graduation. With a view to integrative learning, the purpose of this study was to evaluate life-long learning outcomes through the work of small group teaching and learning for a class of undergraduate nursing freshmen during one academic year.


METHODS
A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the CT, GP and SDL of 99 freshmen with a self-assessment questionnaire before and after their learning activities in three nursing courses, and to identify themes from a total of six focus group interviews with the students and teachers.


RESULTS
The CT, GP and SDL results obtained from self-assessment did not indicate significant differences. Four themes emerged from the qualitative analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Many factors contributed to the results on life-long learning skill development of students in this study. The qualitative analysis provided good insights for future teaching and learning development.


CONCLUSIONS
With a developmental perspective, life-long learning may be better developed and evaluated over a longer period of time in the nursing program.
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: hsvicoch@inet.polyu.edu.hk.
Vico C L
VC
Chiang
Sharron S K
SS
Leung
Caroline Y Y
CY
Chui
Angela Y M
AY
Leung
Y W
YW
Mak
D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult