Facilitators and barriers to the use of e-learning tools among nursing educators in a selected nursing school in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the facilitators and barriers to the use e-learning tools among nurse educators in a selected nursing school in Eastern Cape. This study followed a quantitative research approach that used a descriptive survey design. A questionnaire was used to collect data from nurse educators on the factors that facilitate and the barriers to the use of e-learning tools in the selected nursing education institution. 110 questionnaires were distributed and 85 (74%) were returned and N=3 questionnaires had missing data so the remaining 82 (71%) was analysed. From the research, inadequate information and communication technology (ICT) facilities have been identified as one of the major barriers to effective use of e-learning tools in teaching and learning. It was also discovered that high costs of accessing the internet negatively affect the use of e-learning tools in the nursing school. These findings of this study might add to the knowledge of e-learning in nursing education as an approach to improve the quality and efficiency of teaching and learning if incorporated into the nursing education curriculum. Additionally, the study might add to the body of knowledge in nursing practice regarding the use of e-learning tools in teaching and learning.