Cover Story


Indiana Wesleyan University nursing students Jason Keller (filming) and Ben Fornshell work together on a training video for a class project.


STEVE SANCHEZ / The Star


The digital revolution


At many nursing


Online and at-a- distance video


schools, faculty members are using a bewildering range of technology to connect with students. Some have used online gaming environments to develop virtual simulations,


and others now offer video-conferencing options so students can attend lectures and discussions from home. At the IU School of Nursing, faculty members increasingly are using audio


podcasts. In particular, many are creating “precasts” that preview each week’s course material. Students can download the podcasts to a computer or mobile device and listen at their convenience, even while driving or exercising. In some IU School of Nursing classes — especially undergraduate skills courses — faculty members have created videos demonstrating specific clinical skills. Students can view them from a computer or mobile device. “Not only could they review at home


and prepare for class, but these podcasts are made available to them throughout their program, so they could call them up and review the procedure before they do it in a clinical setting,” Friesth said. Professors aren’t the only ones using video technology. At Indiana Wesleyan University, two former students in a senior-level course created several videos as an alternative to traditional presentations. One — a musical about urinary catheters titled “16 French” — has been viewed on YouTube more than 13,000 times. “Students are able to be


Now starring on YouTube: Former Indiana Wesleyan University students Corey Sizelove and Joel Ferguson created several videos during school, including “A 16 French,” a musical about urinary catheters.


10 Indiana Nursing Quarterly • indystar.com/nursing • Spring 2011


creative in their presentations (and) are really encouraged to use as much technology as possible to convey the message,” said Barbara Ihrke, PhD, RN, dean of the university’s school of nursing. The Indiana Wesleyan


faculty is considering ways to use other technology, such as social-networking tools, to help students learn. “We prefer to find what students are


wanting, like wikis and blogs and those kinds of things,” Ihrke said. “Wherever the students are, we’re trying to use that technology, because then they’ll log on and use that tool.” On the same note, nursing schools are offering more online options, from one-time video conferences in traditional classes to entire courses conducted online. High-definition video technology makes it easier for instructors to demonstrate clinical skills online, and HD video-conferencing gives instructors better feedback from students. For example, the instructors can get a clearer view of students’ facial expressions to gauge whether they’re understanding concepts. Another technology that’s changing nursing education is database software. At the IU School of Nursing, graduate students use database software to log their clinical experiences. Faculty can use the information to evaluate students and the clinical sites. Likewise, students can use the information as a portfolio to share with potential employers and certifying agencies.


Students can download podcasts to a computer or mobile device and listen at their convenience, even while driving or exercising.


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