Abstracts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating technology into a sophomore level baccalaureate nursing class and to explore students perceptions on the use of technology in the classroom in relation to their perceived learning and their perceived interaction with classmates. This study evaluated the use of technology in a baccalaureate nursing classroom and determined the effectiveness of the intervention. The participants in the study included three sections of students enrolled in sophomore level nursing courses, in a small Catholic university, located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A within-subjects study utilizing a quantitative design was utilized to complete the research. Data were collected from post-tests given to classes after traditional lectures as well as from post-tests given in lectures with the intervention of technology. The purpose of the post-tests was to gauge retention of the presented material in each of the classes. The scores on these tests were compared to determine if there were statistically significant changes between the assessment quiz scores on the lectures with technological intervention as compared to lectures without technological interventions. A survey was distributed to all students at the end of the study to gather total study sample information on student perceptions of the use of technology. While the quantitative study results were inconclusive as to the effectiveness of incorporating technology in the classroom, it did show positive findings concerning students perception of using technology in the classroom and their sense of connectedness with classmates. The relevance of this study was to evaluate the need to adapt teaching methods that increase student engagement, and may result in positive assessment outcomes based on retention of information.