Method simple: An electronic interactive tool helping nursing students prepare for written and oral presentation.
BACKGROUND
Developing reflective writing skills is an essential competency in nursing. Nursing schools recognize the importance of promoting scholarly thinking and academic writing amongst their student yet, there is a large gap in the tools and opportunities students receive to help them master these skills during their baccalaureate studies. Method SIMPLE is an innovative and interactive web based tool introduced in first year that can help nursing students prepare university papers both written and oral.


OBJECTIVE
To discover how students learn to use the tool, what barriers affect proper use of the tool, and what role faculty plays in ensuring students' successful use of the tool. The study also sought to explore students' perception in regards to the contribution of the tool to improve their academic work.
Data was collected using two research methodologies. Method SIMPLE has a built-in satisfaction survey at the end of each of the six modules that provides quantitative and qualitative data about the tool itself. A qualitative descriptive study was chosen to better understand student and faculty's perceptions regarding the tool. Data was collected during three focus groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Students shared their experiences using the tool and talked at length about the importance Method SIMPLE's section "P" which explains in depth how to submit written papers. Participants recognized the benefits of having a web based tool. Results from the built-in evaluation surveys and descriptive analysis of the focus groups data also helped generate three types of recommendations: ways to enhance the tool itself, ways to enhance students' experience when using the tool and faculty's responsibility in helping students learn how to use the tool.
Université de Moncton, École de science infirmière, 18 avenue Antonine Maillet, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada.
Suzanne
S
Harrison
Université de Moncton, École de science infirmière, 18 avenue Antonine Maillet, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada.
Nathalie
N
LeBlanc
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014956:Writing / Q000592:standards*
Interactive tool; Nursing students; Writing skills