SON: Connections - Winter 2003

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Fast Forward: Technology and Nursing Education
Imagine, for a moment, you are a nursing student of the future, taking a midterm. You turn on your computer, step into your virtual reality suit, and begin the test—performing a virtual procedure on a virtual patient, in surroundings that seem nearly as real as life. Although that scenario may be far in the future, technology is quickly changing the face of education.

Within the next 10 years, say computer scientists, we could be living in a “wireless world” where different modes of communication will be seamlessly merged with computer technology and where transmission will be 15 to 60 times faster than today. A high-speed network will send DVD-quality video and audio transmissions to students and faculty in fully electronic classrooms, learning labs, and lounge areas. State-of-the-art video-conferencing using three-dimensional visualizations will be as easy to do as placing a call on your cell phone. Students, staff and faculty will access information about academic or personnel matters from digital kiosks around campus. Portable personal data assistants (PDAs) will connect them to school or hospital computers.

Accessibility will be the key to learning. All courses will have a full integration of online, video and live streaming materials, with archived information available at any time. With the integration of networks and computer technology, all students will essentially become distance learners, able to access information in person or through technology. Many meetings, lectures, and clinical activities will be conducted remotely using holographic video projections, so that interactions with others are instantaneous and realistic. Digital textbooks will come with supplemental videos, animations and other activities and students will be able to view them on their tablet PCs or personal video display devices.

With more students accessing course materials remotely, the School of Nursing will be able to provide more content using fewer resources. Students will become consumers/peers who are actively involved in decisions such as curriculum, technology or resource utilizations. They will also be more diverse because all online services will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities and they will be available in numerous languages.

And what about the present, you might ask? Thanks to Educational Outreach (EO), a diverse group of staff members committed to advancing technology within the School of Nursing, more than 180 nursing courses are now on the Web or have Web components. Several courses are being videostreamed and more are planned. A sophisticated teleconferencing facility allows faculty and students to communicate in real time with faculty and students at remote sites, such as in underserved rural communities. More than 40 courses are available on videotape for distance-learning students. Soon, CD-ROM or DVD formats will also include videoconferencing, videostreaming, animations, video clips and other dynamic content. In addition, EO is assisting in the integration of nursing informatics into both the undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

It seems likely that changes in the health-care industry, medicine, and modes of patient care will have a dramatic impact on nursing. With continuing advances in technology and informatics, the School is well-prepared to keep abreast of these changes as it continues its commitment to excellence—a promise that will withstand the test of time.

Produced with the assistance of Ruth Craven, Aubrey Hale, Richard Dandridge, Cliff Solomon, Clark Johnson, Judith Kelson, Penny Vielma and writer Pam Stucky.

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Headlines | Briefly | From the Deans Desk