Technological means in teaching and learning of undergraduate students in the 21st century at s nursing education institution in Tshwane

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Twenty-first century undergraduate students are tomorrow’s leaders in the nursing profession and therefore their teaching and learning should be a priority for the nurse educators. Rapid technological changes due to globalisation, socioeconomic and political factors are challenging the nursing profession to refine nurse education, training and practice to quickly adapt and cope with contemporary health needs. In some nursing education institutions, the researcher observed that the nurse educators were still solely using traditional methods of teaching such as lectures, chalkboards and transparencies. In addition, these nurse educators appeared to be the only ones with knowledge and information, while students were passive receivers. In order to effectively teach undergraduate students, nurse educators need to modify traditional teaching methods to blend with 21st century teaching and learning. RESEARCH QUESTION : The question that guided the study was: What are technological means in 21st century undergraduate students’ teaching and learning at a nursing education institution in Tshwane? The study aimed to determine technological means in enhancing teaching and learning of undergraduate students in the 21st century at a nursing education institution in Tshwane. OBJECTIVES : The study sought to determine technological means in 21st century undergraduate students’ teaching and learning at a nursing education institution in Tshwane. METHODS : A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive design was used to determine technological means in 21st century undergraduate students’ teaching and learning at a nursing education institution in Tshwane. A survey was used to collect data from a sample of the population of n=800 students using a structured questionnaire. DATA ANALYSIS : Data were analysed using SAS version 9.4 statistical package. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS and quality control were maintained throughout the study. RESULTS : The projected outputs of the study were that technological means could be informed from the recommendations of the study so that nurse educator’s teaching strategies used can be reviewed and blended teaching strategies implemented, to ensure that teaching and learning of undergraduate nursing students is in line with 21st century skills. The results of the study indicated that more than 60% of respondents across all levels used a technological device in their daily learning to conduct research related to content being taught in class. More than 80% of respondents from all levels did not prefer the literature search method, which is a method that encourages active participation and critical thinking, although almost all respondents confirmed ownership and use of a technological device in their daily learning as a social norm.