Use of Social Media in Nursing Education Marianne Spurgeon, MSN, RN Director, Virtual & Integration Services

Disclosure This presentation contains the names of products and links to Internet sites used for the development and posting of blogs and wikis. Such names and links are not endorsements or referrals for use of these products.

Who are our students? A generation of: Inpatient Experiential learners Digital natives Multi-taskers Gamers They are demanding: Selectivity Personalization Customization (Sweeny, 2006)

Digital native

Their Ideal Learning Environment “Students know one another” and “work together in groups.” Learning is “relaxed,” “enjoyable,” and that awful “F” word we dread hearing…“fun.” A “multimedia” format is utilized, including podcasts, on-line activities, video, powerpoint, etc. “Real examples” that are “relevant” to their culture are used. The number one characteristic Millennial respondents desired in an ideal learning environment was that it be: “Interactive” and “participatory.” Meyers, S.A., & Stowell, J.R. (2010). Essays from e-xcellence in teaching (Vol. 9)

Blogs & Wikis: Social Software Social Connection Collaboration Constructivism

Key Assumptions Learning increases with social interaction Student-centered learning environments develop deeper learning Decreased attrition through the action learning process

Review of the Literature Emerging and inconclusive Technology focused, typically on a single tool Purpose to prove effectiveness or correct utilization of a tool

Our Focus for Today Blogs –Web pages –Regular, chronological updates –Text, images, hyperlinks, and multimedia –Open for public comment –Online journal Wikis –Website that allows Users to add content Group members to edit content –Includes text, images, hyperlinks, and multimedia –Collaborative working tool

Why Blog? Share information, ideas, and feelings Demonstrate content knowledge Reflection Support Motivate student Enhance writing skills Drives Active and Collaborative Learning

Nursing Blogs

Nursing Blogs

Blogs for Nursing Students library/careplans/100_best_blogs_for_nursing_students

Evidenced Based Nursing Blog

Public Blogs for Educators

Create Your Own Faculty Blog

Case Studies Marisa is 18 months old and has been vomiting for the past day. Her mother has brought her into the clinic for an evaluation. On examination, Marisa appears to be quiet and lethargic. Her mucous membranes are dry, an although she is crying there are no tears. Her mother states she has only had 2 wet diapers in the past 12 hours. What are the nurse’s primary concerns considering these findings?

NLCEX Review Questions Which measurements should be used to calculate a pediatric medication dosage? (Select all that apply and give a rationale) 1.Child’s height and weight 2.Adult dosage of medication 3.Body surface area of child 4.Average adult’s body surface area 5.Average pediatric dosage of medication 6.Nomogram determined by mathematical constant

Blogs for Clinical Groups Personal reflective journal vs. collaborative group discussions Vary topics –Theme for the week –Case study –Ethical issue –Teaching projects

Course Management Learning Systems

Blogs within an LMS May think of as a discussion board Student introductions Topic issues Other student/faculty comments

Best Practices with Blogging Begin simply Consider level of security needed Offer guidelines for frequency, format, and content of postings Promote interaction Encourage use of hyperlinks, images and videos Provide an exemplar Don’t jump in too early

What is a Wiki? Website that allows –Users to add content –Group members to edit content Include text, images, hyperlinks, and multimedia

Why Wiki? Support communities of cooperative learning Promote social interaction Connect people intellectually Provide forum to share and evolve ideas

Nursing Wiki

Wikipedia Editing Tools

Health Care Wiki

Medical Wiki

Public Wikis for Educators

Wiki in Action

Use of Wikis Determine students’ interests Create group projects with topics and subtopics Concept map creation Design a clinically relevant case Reflect on text Teach through questioning

Best Practices for Wikis Allow students to control the content & structure Provide general guidelines for sources of information –Authority –Accuracy –Objectivity –Currency Develop a way to identify student work

Challenges of Wikis/Blogs Learning curve (new tools) Posting biased or inaccurate information Creating meaningful assignments Student discomfort in providing a critical comment or in changing a peer’s work. Grading value for constructive input

Opportunities and Challenges for Faculty When and how to use technology? –Blogs –Wiki –ATI How do these tools enhance students’ educational experience? –Critical thinking –Clinical reasoning –Life long learning skills (collaboration)

References Ciesielka, D. (2008) Using a wiki to meet graduate nursing education competencies in collaboration and community health. Journal of Nursing Education, 47(10) Maag, M. (2005). The potential use of “blogs” in nursing education. CIN: Computers, Informatics Nursing, 25(1), Skiba, D. J. (2005). Do your students wiki? Nursing Education Perspectives, 26 (2), Sweeny, R. (2006). Millennial Behaviors and Demographics. New Jersey Institute of Technology. Warlick, D. F. (2005). Classroom blogging: A teacher's guide to the blogosphere. Raleigh, NC: The Landmark Project