Using open source technology to enhance nursing students’ understanding of physiology

Nursing faculty on our campus often report they need to re‐teach what has been taught in physiology and courses that serve as pre‐or co‐requisite to the study of physiology. Students may have learned information well enough to take tests, but they have not integrated the material well beyond learning facts nor transported it to a “place” where they can share it. Using a number of the open course, Sakai, tools engages nursing students in their own learning experience. By adding the Sakai ePortfolio tools, students have an opportunity to reflect about their learning in preparation for clinical experiences. The ePortfolio tools allow opportunities for students to reflect and synthesize this information and express it in a way that prepares them for their clinical experiences. We will discuss simple ways for others to introduce students to “folio thinking” with the Sakai ePortfolio tools in this presentation. Several other Sakai tools that are being used will also be discussed such as: the Assignments, Modules, Resources, Chat, and the Samigo Test and Survey. These tools provide students access to course lectures, videos, publisher materials, and virtual labs. Students have responded positively to this teaching strategy. Student submissions reflect deeper understanding of the concepts through connections to their clinical experiences. The research question: The collaboration between basic anatomy and physiology instruction and a school of nursing faculty effect student learning. We will measure student and faculty satisfaction, changes, in retention and progress in the nursing program. Long term goals include: to follow nursing graduates in later employment and assess their perception of how their knowledge of the basic sciences has assisted them in their positions. The source of research support is local funding.