The Evaluation of Labtutor® in an undergraduate Nursing programme

Introduction Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) describes circumstances where technology plays a role in making learning more effective. One such TEL is Labtutor® Aim and Objectives To evaluate how Labtutor® can... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) describes circumstances where technology plays a role in making learning more effective. One such TEL is Labtutor®

Aim and Objectives

To evaluate how Labtutor® can contribute to teaching in an undergraduate nursing programme:

• Ascertain level of student engagement with material in online learning:
• Gauge participation and levels of interactivity:
• Determine enhancement of learning and
• Determine the usefulness of formative assessment facilitated by using the system.


Methodology

First year nursing students (n= 115) were the convenient sample. Labtutor® software was incorporated into Enquiry Based Learning/ small group and large group settings. Students were able to conduct experiments’ relating to aspects of life science.

Students were invited to complete a 32 item questionnaire. To facilitate such a large group, ensure confidentiality, ease of collation of data and time the Personal Response System was used for data collection.

Findings/Conclusion

Participants reported overall that they enjoyed using the system and found it beneficial to their learning by:
(a) Increased engagement with material
(b) Increased participation/ interactivity
(c) Enhancement of learning and
(d) Usefulness of formative assessment.



The Labtutor® system and other TEL packages which can help deliver the curriculum in a novel way and can enhance learning.