CD-ROMs let nurses study any place, any time
01 March 2002
Kangan Batman TAFE has launched a unique range of CD-ROMs that allow nurses to undertake post-graduate study without having to attend classes.
Kangan Batman TAFE is one of the main providers of the 14 Post Basic Modules of the Certificate IV in Health (Nursing). Previously these modules have been delivered using printed learning materials, but that is set to change with the progressive introduction of CD-ROMs covering each module.
Any Division 1 or 2 nurse with access to a computer, either at home or work (or through facilities such as Kangan Batman TAFE's own Flexible Learning Centres) will be able complete the modules on CD-ROM, at a time and place that suits them.
The first of these innovative self-contained learning resources - the Post Basic Acute Nursing Flexible Delivery CD-ROM - was launched in October 2001 by Community Services & Health Industry Training Board Victoria Executive Director Brian Spencer.
This CD-ROM has already proven popular with nurses wishing to move into acute nursing, and in particular, rural nurses wishing to upgrade their qualifications without having to travel to attend classes.
Feedback from students has shown they enjoy the learning style of the CD-ROM, which has been designed to make the educational functions of researching information and communicating with peers and tutors via the Internet easy, even for those with limited computer knowledge.
"The major advantage of flexible learning - of which these CD-ROMs are an example - is that people can easily fit study into the rest of their lives, which is especially important for nurses who can be rostered on at any time of the day or night", explains Kangan Batman nurse educator Christine Crofton, who wrote the content for the CD.
The CD-ROM stores the student's work on a database which can then be e-mailed to a tutor for feedback and assessment. It also includes easy access to an online discussion board and links to Internet resources.
Information and updates are provided via the website links, from which the student can access course outlines, updates on resources, and progress notes and documentation. Not only can the module be studied from anywhere in the world, but the sections of the module can also be undertaken in any order, rather than sequentially.
A second CD-ROM has recently been released: the Post Basic Mental Health Flexible Delivery CD-ROM. Further CDs are currently being developed for the remaining 12 Certificate IV post-graduate modules, which include community, maternity, psychiatric, perioperative and rehabilitation nursing. All modules take 78 hours to complete, comprising 40 hours of theoretical work and 38 hours of practical work placement.
Kangan Batman TAFE has also formed partnerships with several large health organisations for delivery of these modules to their staff, either using the CD-ROMs or printed project-based flexible delivery materials.
For further information telephone Christine Crofton on (03) 9254 3328.
