Narrowing the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Simulation- and Model-Based Learning for Nursing Students

• In Event: Poster Session 16
  In Poster Session: Education and Assessment in the Professions Poster Session

Abstract

The paper presents a conceptual framework which integrates three domains of knowledge - experiential, symbolic and conceptual - for teaching practical professions within academic settings. The novel Pharmacology Inter-Leaved Learning (PILL) environment was designed, incorporating a 3D virtual-reality hospital ward to experience medication procedures (experiential); situated digital-tools for enhancing medication calculations (symbolic); and biochemical models for exploring medication actions (conceptual). A quasi-experimental design was conducted on nursing students learning a pharmacology course. Findings showed greater learning gains for each of the three related domains when using PILL, where the largest effect size was for the conceptual domain. Integrating the three separate but related forms of knowledge can narrow the gap between the formal and practical learning of professionals.

Authors

• Ilana Dubovi, Utah State University

• Sharona T. Levy, University of Haifa

• Efrat Dagan, University of Hiafa