title: Mobile technology in clinical teaching.
abstract: Technology is having a profound effect on education in the 21st century and nurse educators are being challenged to integrate technological innovation to assist students in their learning. This paper reports a study on the introduction of smart mobile technology to support student learning in the clinical environment. In a climate of collaborative inquiry, clinical lecturers and two researchers from the same department carried out a project in three phases: formation, implementation and analysis. Following the formation phase, six clinical lecturers adopted iPads to support their clinical teaching (implementation phase). At this time they also kept reflective journals. In the analysis phase a thematic analysis of the data from the journals and from a focus group found both enabling and constraining factors influenced the use of iPads by clinical lecturers. The themes categorised as enablers were: resources and technology; and, management and technology support. Those identified as barriers or constraining factors were: clinical staff engagement; and lecturer experience with technology. Student engagement and learning, and connectivity were both enabling and constraining factors. This paper concludes that the use of a mobile device such as an iPad can enhance teaching in clinical settings but that in order for such devices to be successfully integrated into clinical teaching consideration needs to be given to professional development needs, adequate resourcing and technology support.
authors.affiliation: Northland Polytechnic, Raumaunga Valley Rd, Private Bag 9019, Whangarei, New Zealand. Electronic address: bmackay@northtec.ac.nz.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.affiliation: Northland Polytechnic, Raumaunga Valley Rd, Private Bag 9019, Whangarei, New Zealand. Electronic address: janderson@northtec.ac.nz.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand. Electronic address: thomas.harding@canterbury.ac.nz.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harding
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000379:methods; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013663:Teaching
keywords: Clinical lecturer; Clinical setting; Mobile technology; Nurse education; Nursing students; Smart technology; iPad