Ying Tao1, Liping Li2, Qunyan Xu3, Anli Jiang4. 1. School of Nursing, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, PR China. Electronic address: taoying52@163.com. 2. School of Nursing, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, PR China. Electronic address: llptian@163.com. 3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia 5000, Australia. Electronic address: andie.xu@unisa.edu.au. 4. School of Nursing, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, PR China. Electronic address: alj1018@aliyun.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This paper demonstrates the establishment of an extra-curricular education program in Chinese context and evaluates its effectiveness on undergraduate nursing students' self-directed learning. METHODS: Zimmerman's self-directed learning model was used as the theoretical framework for the development of an education program. Mixed-method was applied in this research study. 165 undergraduate students from a nursing college were divided into experimental group (n=32) and control group (n=133). Pre- and post-tests were implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of this education program using the self-directed learning scale of nursing undergraduates. Qualitative interview was undertaken within participants from the experimental group to obtain their insights into the influence of this program. RESULTS: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that the program contributed to nursing students' self-directed learning ability. In the experimental group, the post-test score showed an increase compared with pretest score (p<0.05). The score of experimental group was higher than control group (p<0.05) after 18months training, while there was no difference between them before this program. Qualitative results from 9 students' experience were formulated as three main thematic categories: influence on awareness, influence on learning activities and influence on learning environment. It can be found in the qualitative analysis that learners benefited from this program. CONCLUSION: The education program contributes to the improvement of nursing undergraduates' self-directed learning. Various pedagogic methods could be applied for self-directed learning.
OBJECTIVE: This paper demonstrates the establishment of an extra-curricular education program in Chinese context and evaluates its effectiveness on undergraduate nursing students' self-directed learning. METHODS: Zimmerman's self-directed learning model was used as the theoretical framework for the development of an education program. Mixed-method was applied in this research study. 165 undergraduate students from a nursing college were divided into experimental group (n=32) and control group (n=133). Pre- and post-tests were implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of this education program using the self-directed learning scale of nursing undergraduates. Qualitative interview was undertaken within participants from the experimental group to obtain their insights into the influence of this program. RESULTS: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that the program contributed to nursing students' self-directed learning ability. In the experimental group, the post-test score showed an increase compared with pretest score (p<0.05). The score of experimental group was higher than control group (p<0.05) after 18months training, while there was no difference between them before this program. Qualitative results from 9 students' experience were formulated as three main thematic categories: influence on awareness, influence on learning activities and influence on learning environment. It can be found in the qualitative analysis that learners benefited from this program. CONCLUSION: The education program contributes to the improvement of nursing undergraduates' self-directed learning. Various pedagogic methods could be applied for self-directed learning.