Nursing students' perceptions of online learning and its impact on knowledge level

Background: Online learning in nursing education has been demonstrated to exert positive effects on knowledge, skills, learning attitudes, and confidence in performance. However, a noteworthy caveat has been that such benefits could vary depending on the content of pedagogical materials. Aim: To examine the impact of online-tutorials in place of face-to-face tutorials on knowledge level and understand the perspectives of learners who experience online-tutorials. Methods: This study adopted a mixed method experiential design in which the perspectives of learners who experience online-tutorials are embedded within the trial. Two cohort of nursing students enrolled for the module on Psychology for Nurses were recruited to evaluate the impact of online-tutorials compared to face-to-face tutorials in terms of knowledge level. Apart from the dissimilar mode of delivery, both cohorts experienced the same teaching structure, content, and assessments. Examination results from these two cohorts were compared upon completion of the course. For the online group, additional one-to-one interviews were conducted to further understand the impacts exerted by online learning on the level of knowledge among them. Results: There was a significant difference between the knowledge level of the two cohorts. Responses elicited during the interviews revealed five themes: lack of motivation; limited teamwork; missed learning opportunities; decreased interactions; and differences between online and face-to-face learning. Conclusion: Online-tutorials may be a feasible pedagogical approach but the motivation to learn, teamwork and quality of discussion may be compromised due to the lack of socialization and interactions between students and tutors.