| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 366928 | Nurse Education in Practice | 2015 | 4 Pages |
•On-line teaching platforms typically provide asynchronous learning experiences.•This study evaluated student engagement in a novel synchronous virtual environment.•Students showed significantly higher engagement using the synchronous platform.•Synchronous on-line platforms may provide a more engaging learning experience.
The purpose of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that web-based synchronous instruction utilizing Multi-user Virtual World Environments (MUVEs) increases student engagement compared to traditional asynchronous learning methods. In a quasi-experimental two group posttest only study, a sample of Family Nurse Practitioner students (n = 21) received instruction using either a synchronous (n = 10) or asynchronous (n = 11) learning method. Engagement was measured using the Community of Inquiry survey. Results indicated that engagement scores were significantly higher for the synchronous learning platform (mean = 3.61, SD = 1.13) compared to the asynchronous learning platform (mean = 3.49, SD = 1.08, t(1766) = −2.21, p < 0.05). Increased student engagement with synchronous MUVE platforms have the potential to improve learning outcomes and offer nursing students a multitude of educational opportunities to practice new skills and behaviors in real life scenarios, all within the safety of a controlled environment.
