Technology in Nursing Education

1. Technology in Nursing Education By: Peggy Marc Joseph

2. Introduction Informatics and modern technology are increasing in nursing practices. For years, the role of informatics have been undervalued in nursing education. Informatics and computer literacy are now integrated in nursing curriculum. New gadgets have been on the market, such as Targus Stylus and Ipad. All nursing students should be able to know the proper way of using new technology devices. This presentation will demonstrate the significance of informatics and modern technology in nursing education, the way Targus Stylus and Ipad should be utilized and the value of best practices for these new technologies.

3. Challenges in Nursing Education and societal expectations How to record healthcare information electronically and keep documentation in order are big challenges for nurses. According to Desroches, et al. (2008), “health information technology, such as sophisticated electronic health records, has the potential to improve health care”. Patient health records require ultimate accuracy of data entry. Nurses are not yet familiarized with the new technology. They are still using pen and paper. Electronic record systems are not yet integral part of physicians’ practice in the United States (Desroches, et al., 2008). Nurses are expected to document and record healthcare data; however, because of the inconvenience of a computer, nurses are obligated to carry pen and paper to record patient information and then transfer these data to a computer. Po-Yin Yen and Paul N. Gorman (2005) indicated that existing technologies present a problem for documentation and data entry because the computer system with mouse and keyboard are poorly suited to bedside nursing. The innovation of iPad and Targus Stylus has revolutionized the technique of documentation in the healthcare system.

4. Electronic ToolsThe Targus Stylus & Iannotate Concepts Computer, touch screen, Ipod and tablet use varieties of pen. Targus Stylus makes it easy to take notes, draw, or just turn a page in an e-book. It has a durable tip that will not scratch the surface of the device. It engages directly with an electronic, touch-screen device and requires no power to operate (Targus, 2011). Targus Stylus makes electronic documentation easy as well. It allows students to highlight important information and take notes while they are reading. Targus Stylus can be used with the software IAnnotate to enhance reading. Learners can use the pen to write, highlight, draw line and underline or cross out sentences. IAnnotate enables students to transfer file onto or from an iPad (Targus Spruce EcoSmart, 2010).

5. Electronic Tools (Cont’d)Ipad Concept In 2010, Apple Company launched an electronic device, iPad, which revolution the world of audio-visual including music, books etc. Steve Jobs (2010), the CEO of Apple, stated: “iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device. IPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.” iPad has changed the way nurses document information as well as the way students take notes. IPad contains apps that are relevant to the nursing profession and to the student’s personal interests.

6. Electronic Tools (Cont’d)Ipad Concept Billings and Halstead (2009) noted the following in their book Teaching in Nursing: A Guide for Faculty: “Relevance and motivation are closely linked; the time for learning would be cut to a fraction of the time currently allotted if the materials were perceived by the learner as related to its own purpose”. As a multimedia System, iPad can convey a message to students by sound image video. Nursing students, from undergraduate to graduate level, can use iPad as a learning tool either in the classroom or in clinical setting. iPad and Targus Stylus are very helpful and useful in nursing practice. They are both officially introduced to nursing education. They are very captivating and they facilitate interaction in the classroom.

7. Electronic Tools (Cont’d) Target Population IPad tablet devices have become part of students’ lives. They use iPad daily to send and receive emails, or to explore the web and be part of social networking. Mastrian, et al. (2011) insisted on the fact that to motivate students, instructors should use authentic learning task and assessments. By authentic learning they meant to do activities or create projects that are similar to the real world. The Net Generation which is the category who never knew life without the internet (Oblinger & Oblinger 2005) as well as the Baby Boomers would have a frustrated life if nursing did not use technology (Mastrian, et al., 2011, p. 36). These are the most significant targets for modern technology because they use these devices as the simplest way to communicate and socialize with others.

8. Learning Theory behind the Technology In a report published by Abilene Christian University, Shepherd and Reeves (2011) concluded that “the advent of iPad has fundamentally changed a teacher’s ability to mobilize the student’s learning environment, freeing them from the linkages typical laptop based computers have on access and interaction with other students. Because of its versatility and functionality, iPad has made paperless classrooms truly mobile”. Students are from different horizons with varieties of backgrounds, socio economic and cultural. So it is the faculty members’ responsibility to incorporate both technologies in the curriculum effectively to enhance students’ learning. IPad and the Targus Stylus can help students achieve their goals accurately and efficiently. Faculty professors can have the opportunity to focus on coaching instead of lecturing or teaching. IPad gives learners the possibility to minimize or maximize the front size, bookmark, or carry many EBooks in an electronic folder. They can have access to many clinical apps like Skype, drug guide, medical and nursing diagnosis.

9. Watch this video • http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=targus+pen+video&view=detail&mid=E1B38AF60B3212FCBFEBE1B38AF60B3212FCBFEB&first=0&FORM=LKVR32

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556zLcWvEr8

11. The intuitive interface makes iAnnotate the fastest and easiest app for annotating and sharing PDFs. If you have a large collection of PDFs that you need to organize and quickly access, iAnnotate is the best tool around.

13. Ipad and Targus Stylus Pros and Cons Many have complained about the “excessive” cost of technology in education. Many of these technologies that have been classified as too expensive decade ago have become part of daily routine activities and less expensive. Students seem to think that there are more pros than cons in using iPad in education. Mark Crump (2010), in his article “pros and cons of the iPad in education” declared “The iPad can shave three pounds off a college student’s shoulders”. His list of pros include: “Better battery life/light weight, bag of holding for class materials, easier to do work in the library,no laptop stigmata,single-tasking may let student focus better”. These are the cons he listed: “lack of e-textbooks, no camera, no citation/equation support, locked-down/walled garden, no full-size keyboard (speculation)”. These devices are not just part of new technology in the market; they are new ways of developing students’ skills and leading them to a successful path.

14. PDF Library Licensing

15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kww75-iug6U&feature=related

16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuIOhMezI34&feature=player_embeddedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuIOhMezI34&feature=player_embedded

17. Conclusion To conclude, informatics and technology are rapidly becoming part of everyday life. Like any other profession, nursing will need to have the knowledge necessary to use new and improved technology devices. It is as important as any other subject in education. As society changes, demand for competent nurses increases. This rapid growth on demand raises the pressure on the nursing education system to prepare more qualified and universal nurses. Hence, faculties should ensure that all professors meet such necessary criteria so that nursing education remains up-to-date and integrates in the new environment.

18. References Billings, D. M., & Halstead, J. A. (2009). Teaching in nursing: a guide for faculty. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier. Crump, M. (2010, March 29). Pros and cons of the iPad in education. Gigaom. Retrieved November 30, 2011 from http://gigaom.com/apple/pros-cons-ipad-education/ Desroches, C. M. (2008). Electronic Health Records in Ambulatory Care — A National Survey of Physicians. The New England Journal of Medicine, 359(50), 60th ser. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa0802005#t=article Mastrian, K. G. (2011). Integrating technology in nursing education: tools for the knowledge era (p. 36). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Oblinger, D. & Oblinger, J. (2005). Educating the net generation. Retrieved November 30, 2011 from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/pub7101.pdf Press Info - Launches iPad. (2000, January 27). Apple. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/01/27Apple-Launches-iPad.html Shepherd, I., & Reeves, B. (2011). Mobile Learning Research | iPad Studies. Abilene Christian University, a Christian College in Abilene, Texas. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from http://www.acu.edu/technology/mobilelearning/research/ipad-studies.html Targus Spruce EcoSmart™ Clamshell | TBC036US. (2010, July). Targus Group | Leading Provider of Laptop Cases, Bags and Accessories. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.targus.com/us/productdetail.aspx?regionId=7 Yen, P., & Gorman, P. N. (2005, December). Usability Testing of a Digital Pen and Paper System in Nursing Documentation. American Medical Informatics Association. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1560675/