Cooperative Learning: A Model for Teaching

The Impact of Active Learning on Nursing Students’ Clinical Success

Active, cooperative learning is a method to teach the critical thinking skills necessary for the transfer and use of classroom-acquired knowledge in the clinical setting. Yet many nursing educators continue to use teacher-centered educational approaches while identifying an array of barriers for the voiced preference for student-centered education. Using holistic, active cooperative learning strategies (faculty role modeling, student interactive and group learning, and group testing) within a didactic class, the authors found differences in the average clinical grade (87.03) when compared to the average clinical grade for students who had been taught using a lecture approach (84.19).

Cooperative learning and case study: does the combination improve students' perception of problem-solving and decision making skills?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cooperative learning techniques combined with case study on nursing students' self-perception of problem-solving and decision making skills in comparison with other teaching-learning methods. A quasi-experimental pre-test to post-test static group comparison design was used to determine the influence of the different teaching methodologies. Three associate degree colleges provided a convenience sample of nursing students (N=123). An experimental group (n=31) was taught through cooperative learning and case study. One comparison group, was taught through lecture and large group case study (n=46) and another comparison group was taught through lecture only (n=24). A third comparison group taught through lecture and occasional use of non-cooperative learning groups using continuing case study (n=22) was used as a post-test only control group. No two groups were significantly different at the 0.5 level. The results, however, showed that the experimental group obtained scores indicating somewhat better self-perception of both problem-solving and decision making skills.

The meaning of effective education for critical care nursing practice: a thematic analysis

Continuing education and practice development are integral components of specialist nursing practice in environments such as intensive and critical care. Previous studies have examined the 'effectiveness' of various approaches to teaching and learning in critical care, yet few have considered how effective education affects the relationship between education and practice development. Using thematic analysis, this study explored the phenomenon of effective education (for critical care nursing practice) by asking: What does effective education for critical care nursing practice mean to nurses currently practising in the specialty? Eighty eight critical care nurses from the South Island of New Zealand provided written descriptions of what effective education for critical care nursing practice meant to them. Descriptive statements were analysed to reveal constituents, themes and essences of meaning. Four core themes of personal quality, practice quality, the learning process and learning needs emerged. Appropriateness or relevance for individual learning needs is further identified as an essential theme within the meaning of effective education for critical care nursing practice. Shared experiences of the phenomenon are made explicit and discussed with reference to education and practice development in the specialty. The study results lend support to education that focuses on individual learning needs, and identifies work based learning as a potential strategy for learning and practice development in critical care nursing.

Inquiry-based learning: facilitators’ perceptions of their effectiveness in the tutorial process

This preliminary study evaluates the effectiveness of facilitators in the inquiry-based learning tutorial process and identifies areas for staff development. Self-report checklists measure the key dimensions and role of the facilitator in four tutorial process steps: Exploration, Review, Consolidation and Plenary. The population study comprised 43 potential respondent facilitators in the pre-registration nursing programme. The response rate was 55% (N=23). Descriptive and non-parametric measures were used to analyse the data. Findings indicated that the overall majority of facilitators perceive the effectiveness of their role to be satisfactory. Differences in the results were found when compared by length of experience.

Using cooperative learning strategies to teach implications of the Nurse Practice Act

Nursing education should include teaching strategies that encourage students to participate actively in the learning process. Cooperative learning is a teaching/learning strategy that promotes active student involvement and leads to enhanced problem-solving skills, greater retention of material, and transfer of learning. The author describes cooperative learning and its use in a leadership/management course to teach students about the provisions of the state's Nurse Practice Act.