Tania Hart|David Bird|Robert Farmer
Using blackboard collaborate, a digital web conference tool, to support nursing students placement learning: A pilot study exploring its impact
De Montfort University|University of Northampton
ensuring student nurses clinical placement areas receive good quality higher education institution hei lecturer support challenging conventional hei placement support resource intensive arguably infeasible growing student numbers evidence suggests however online collaborative learning solutions eg virtual classrooms web conferencing tools potential ameliorate resource pressures test idea online learning solution called blackboard collaborate piloted virtually connected students preceptors university lecturer usefulness explored obtaining qualitative focus group data students preceptor participants findings thematically analysed collaborate ensured three parties connected time efficient easy use technology despite technical glitches ie occasional time delay audio echo participants concluded collaborate efficient medium placement needs routine facetoface preferable intensive support required todays busy times heis must explore time effective methods placement collaboration online collaborative tools one solution students however need develop digital literacy using technology benefit qualified likely embrace form technology promote efficiency