title: Peer learning a pedagogical approach to enhance online learning: A qualitative exploration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flexible online programs are becoming increasingly popular method of education for students, allowing them to complete programs in their own time and cater for lifestyle differences. A mixture of delivery modes is one way which allows for enhanced learning. Peer learning is another method of learning which is shown to foster collaboration and prepare healthcare students for their future careers. This paper reports on a project to combine peer and online learning to teach pharmacology to nursing students.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore undergraduate nursing student opinions of working in peer groups for online learning sessions in a pharmacology course.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study utilising a self-reported questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  A rural campus of an Australian university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Second year nursing students enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing Program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hard copy questionnaire was distributed to all students who attended the final semester lecture for the course. Content analysis of open-ended survey questions was used to identify themes in the written data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 61 students enrolled in the nursing subject, 35 students chose to complete the survey (57%). Students reported a mixed view of the benefits and disadvantages of peer online learning. Sixty 6% (66%) of students liked peer online learning, whilst 29% disliked it and 6% were undecided. Convenience and ease of completion were reported as the most common reason to like peer online learning, whilst Information Technology issues, communication and non-preferred learning method were reasons for not liking peer online learning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer online learning groups' acted as one further method to facilitate student learning experiences. Blending peer online learning with traditional face-to-face learning increases the variety of learning methods available to students to enhance their overall learning experience.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Midwifery & Healthcare, Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Australia. Electronic address: araymond@federation.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Australia. Electronic address: e.jacob@ecu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Australia. Electronic address: Darren.jacob@live.com.au.
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Australia. Electronic address: judith.lyons@federation.edu.au.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012934:Social Isolation; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: (4–8) online learning; Distance learning; Nursing education; Peer group; Peer-assisted learning