Directions
- Start Here: Identify the educational issue you want to explore.
- Decide: Determine how you want to approach the issue.
- Consider: Reflect on the possible outcomes of your project.
Category: Student/Learning Issues
Educational Issues:
- Application of Learning in Clinical Settings:
- Students aren’t applying what they learn in didactic instruction when they go to clinicals.
- Students are not demonstrating critical thinking in clinical experiences.
- High incident report rates among students.
- Simulation and Concept Mapping:
- High-fidelity simulation.
- Relationship of fun to learning.
- Application of the NLN/Jeffries Simulation Theory.
- Simulation on a low budget.
- Using simulation to prepare students for clinical experiences.
- Incorporating critical thinking into clinical-lab simulations (beyond just procedures!).
- Concept mapping vs. nursing care plans.
- Instructional Methods:
- Research-related lecturing and the use of PowerPoints.
- Creative methods to teach students critical thinking using clinical topics:
- Problem-based learning.
- Using case studies.
- Group learning.
- “Team-based learning” by Michaelsen.
- Virtual world scenarios.
- Use of social media in teaching.
- Assessment and Grading:
- Poor performance on teacher-developed exams and standardized exams (e.g., ATI, HESI).
- Inadequate methods for determining clinical failure.
- Students objecting to their grades in clinicals.
- Students disputing letter grades for clinicals.
- Best practices in assigning clinical grades in nursing.
- Determining whether students have met learning outcomes in clinical experiences.
Potential Project Topics and Approaches:
- Improving Application of Learning:
- Utilize high-fidelity simulation or concept mapping to enhance clinical preparation.
- Develop strategies to integrate critical thinking into clinical-lab simulations.
- Innovative Teaching Methods:
- Explore creative teaching methods such as problem-based learning, case studies, or team-based learning.
- Investigate the impact of virtual world scenarios or social media on student learning.
- Assessment Strategies:
- Analyze the effectiveness of concept maps versus traditional nursing care plans.
- Develop best practices for assigning and evaluating clinical grades.
Possible Outcomes:
- Assessment Metrics:
- Improved clinical grades and critical thinking surveys.
- Reduced incident reports and improved care plan grades.
- Enhanced scores on teacher-made and standardized exams (e.g., ATI, HESI).
- Increased student satisfaction and fewer disputes over grades.
- Project Evaluation:
- Use of debriefing conclusions and taped lab simulations to assess effectiveness.
- Evaluation of unit and final grades, assignment grades, and clinical performance metrics