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Rice-Farrand, Frances - Research Abstract

Education for Future

According to the National League for Nursing, the field of nursing education must undergo dramatic change in order to better shape the future of nursing practices. Nursing education should focus on incorprating greater flexibility, responsiveness to students needs and integrate current technology. Graduates must take a licensing exam by computer assisted testing (CAT). Therefore, it is important to reduce barriers to computer mediated learning.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services March 2000 article states that between 1980 and 2000 the percentage of nurses receiving their basic education from Associate Degree programs was approximately 40% (1,087,602) of entry level nurses.

What issue does the research address?

The purpose of the research will investigate the effects of computer assisted testing (CAT) in the preparation of students both in the community college and facilitation of passing the state licensure boards.

Potential Impact of Project?

The potential impact of the project will reduce barriers such as lack of computer confidence, anxiety (emotional distress) related to computer testing taking, and CAT licensing examination which will result in an overall improved quality of student learning outcomes.

Applicability to the California Community College System

California Community College are being asked to educate larger and larger numbers of students on ever shrinking budgets, in order to protect the substantial investment that has been made over the two plus years of education. Associate degree programs must graduate nurses that are both competent in the field and prepared to successfully pass state boards.

Expected contribution to student learning outcomes (SLO)

Encourage students to be intentional learners who direct and monitor their own learning by receiving immediate feedback from the CAT. Learners integrate successfully computer technology with professional growth.

Methodology, research questions, and activities you will use to conduct research

Methodology will include the use of indirect assessment of pre and post questionaire using a Likert type scale. Additionally a quantitative assessment of CAT scores could be correlated with licensure test scores. Does CAT contribute to computer confidence? Does repeated exposure to CAT reduce text taking anxiety? Will CAT improve licensing test scores?

Description of technologies you will incorporate in the project

During the coures of the fall semester, applicant will utilize both CAT by way of eTUDES web server and assessment technology Inc. (ATI). ETUDES supplements the curriculum by allowing proctored and non-proctored testing, immediate feedback, copious amount of statically data such as student log-in, cumulative scores, and test performance with an additional means of communication with the student. ATI, an independent service purchased with standardized testing to help validate target concepts, critical thinking, and has predictive value of nursing licensure.

Dissemination

• The applicant will present findings to the Academic Senate at the local Community COllge.
• The applicant will also present findings to the California Organization of Associate Degree Nursing Directors Southern California Branch.
• Findings may also by presented to curriculum committee, professional development seminars, and published in approriate journals.