title: Using reusable learning objects (rlos) in injection skills teaching: Evaluations from multiple user types.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical skills are a critical component of pre-registration nurse education in the United Kingdom, yet there is widespread concern about the clinical skills displayed by newly-qualified nurses. Novel means of supporting clinical skills education are required to address this.
  
  
  METHODS
  A package of Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) was developed to supplement pre-registration teaching on the clinical skill of administering injection medication. RLOs are electronic resources addressing a single learning objective whose interactivity facilitates learning. This article evaluates a package of five injection RLOs across three studies: (1) questionnaires administered to pre-registration nursing students at University of Nottingham (UoN) (n=46) evaluating the RLO package as a whole; (2) individual RLOs evaluated in online questionnaires by educators and students from UoN; from other national and international institutions; and healthcare professionals (n=265); (3) qualitative evaluation of the RLO package by UoN injection skills tutors (n=6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from all studies were assessed for (1) access to, (2) usefulness, (3) impact and (4) integration of the RLOs. Study one found that pre-registration nursing students rate the RLO package highly across all categories, particularly underscoring the value of their self-test elements. Study two found high ratings in online assessments of individual RLOs by multiple users. The global reach is particularly encouraging here. Tutors reported insufficient levels of student-RLO access, which might be explained by the timing of their student exposure. Tutors integrate RLOs into teaching and agree on their use as teaching supplements, not substitutes for face-to-face education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This evaluation encompasses the first years postpackage release. Encouraging data on evaluative categories in this early review suggest that future evaluations are warranted to track progress as the package is adopted and evaluated more widely.
authors.affiliation: Health E-Learning Media, School of Health Sciences, B53, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, NG7 2HA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: jwilliams.nottingham@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Health E-Learning Media, School of Health Sciences, B53, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, NG7 2HA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: morna.o_connor@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Mórna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Health E-Learning Media, School of Health Sciences, B53, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, NG7 2HA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: richard.windle@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Windle
authors.affiliation: Health E-Learning Media, School of Health Sciences, B53, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, NG7 2HA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: heather.wharrad@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wharrad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Clinical skills; Computer assisted learning; E-learning; Injection; Nurse education; Nursing skills; RLOs; Reusable learning objects