CHAT ROOM USE IN NURSING EDUCATION: THE ADVANTAGES

AND CHALLENGES

Diane Orr Chlebowy, PhD (c), MS, MA, RN

University of Kentucky College of Nursing

SESSION OBJECTIVES

• Describe the process of using chat rooms in undergraduate and graduate nursing courses.

• Discuss three (3) advantages of using chat rooms in nursing education.

• Explore the challenges of using chat rooms in undergraduate and graduate nursing courses.

PROCESS

• Identification of need for chat room usage in undergraduate and graduate courses

• Inclusion of homepage with chat room link

• Education of students regarding chat room use

• Determination of faculty availability for chat room usage

USER SCREENS

http://webteach.mccs.uky.edu/NUR871/

ADVANTAGES

• Ease and efficiency of communication• Use of up-to-date instructional technology• Provision of additional opportunities for students

to dialogue with faculty regarding course-related content

• Provision of additional opportunities for students to study and review with student colleagues

ADVANTAGES (CONT.)

• Enhance students’ understanding of difficult course-related content

• Enhance faculty/student relationships

• Receive positive feedback from students (as expressed with completion of faculty and course evaluations)

CHALLENGES

• Technological difficulties

• Establishment of times conducive to both students and faculty

• Lack of student comfort to use technology

• Lack of motivation of students to use technology

CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The presenter would like to thank Brenda Ghaelian at the University of Kentucky for her dedication in the development of this

technological instruction