Information technology in nurse education: a multimedia approach to teaching biological sciences

vides a research and educational resource for nurses and other healthcare professionals situated within mid-and southwest Wales. The student population is in excess of 2700 (or 1500 whole-time equivalents). Educational programmes currently offered by the School are available for students who are able to study on campus and on a number of satellite sites traditionally situated in hospitals scattered throughout an area of approximately 6000 square miles. The School faces a number of challenges. These are the need to provide student-centred educational programmes with effective outcomes together with the need for professional updating within a large geographical area. As a consequence we have examined the potential of flexible learning methods, open and distance learning. BACKGROUND The School of Health Science has identified teaching biological sciences to student nurses as being problematic. From the literature [1] [2] [3] it is apparent that there is no consensus on the appropriate content and depth of biological science knowledge required by nursing students. Neither is there agreement about the way in which biological science should be taught. The results of the Akinsanya and Hayward study [1] that examined the contribution of bioscience in nurse education were inconclusive. However, these authors identified problems associated with students learning biological science. These were largely attributed to the teachers' perceptions of their role in teaching the subject, although the lack of a teacher's specialization was also indicated as a contributory factor. In addition their study implied that nurse teachers without a background in biological science have difficulty in simplifying the subject for students. This study also drew attention to the dearth of books and course materials that apply biological science to nursing. The absence of a laboratory approach and the lack of innovative teaching methods were also associated with students' learning difficulties. Trnboranski [2] pointed out that despite previous recommendations for a review of the way biological sciences are taught there has been little progress, and the problem persists. Wharrad, Allcock and Chapple [3] established that students found biological sciences difficult to learn: those who did not had acquired advanced qualifications in science subjects whilst at school. Notwithstanding the inconclusive nature of the evidence, the findings were compatible with problems being experienced by the School of Health Science. Wales Swansea offers programmes for nurses and other healthcare professionals ranging from pre-registration nursing to post-doctoral studies. Biological science is an important component of the pre-registration programme, the delivery of …