Millennial generation student nurses' perceptions of the impact of multiple technologies on learning.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how millennial nursing students perceive the effects of instructional technology on their attentiveness, knowledge, critical thinking, and satisfaction. BACKGROUND Millennial learners develop critical thinking through experimentation, active participation, and multitasking with rapid shifts between technological devices. They desire immediate feedback. METHOD; A descriptive, longitudinal, anonymous survey design was used with a convenience sample of 108 sophomore, junior, and senior baccalaureate nursing students (participation rates 95 percent, winter, 85 percent, spring). Audience response, virtual learning, simulation, and computerized testing technologies were used. An investigator-designed instrument measured attentiveness, knowledge, critical thinking, and satisfaction (Cronbach's alphas 0.73, winter; 0.84, spring).


RESULTS
Participants positively rated the audience response, virtual learning, and simulation instructional technologies on their class participation, learning, attention, and satisfaction. They strongly preferred computerized testing.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with other studies, these students engaged positively with new teaching strategies using contemporary instructional technology. Faculty should consider using instructional technologies.
Ohio Northern University, Ada, USA. s-montenery@onu.edu
Susan M
SM
Montenery
University of Findlay, Ohio, USA.
Marjorie
M
Walker
Urbana University, Ohio, USA.
Elizabeth
E
Sorensen
MinuteClinic, Marysville, Ohio, USA.
Rhonda
R
Thompson
Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
Dena
D
Kirklin
Ohio Northern University, USA.
Robin
R
White
Robert Morris University College of Nursing, Moon Township, Pennsylvania, USA.
Carl
C
Ross
D000328:Adult; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003210:Concept Formation; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult