Re-designing an undergraduate capstone course: Connecting through online discussion

Abstract

<p>An online community was created to support a cohort of undergraduate nursing students in their final capstone course positioned in different cities acrosst he country. It was developed to facilitate collaborative learnign relationships amongst these undergraduate nursing students in the final term of their program. This a was re-design of the regular face-to-face meeing course component for students in their final preceptored practice course, working variable hours in different time zones across the country. Students developed supportive, genuine, caring connections with each other online, giving and receiving encouragement and helpful feedback.<span style="font-size: 10pt;">They participated online in discussions and inquiry, sharing and thinking through practice experiences. With physical distance a chllenge to interaction between students and instructor, it was important that the online environment be created to be conducive and open to developing positive learning relationships. Feedback from student evalutions identified the importance of a supportive environment and instructor facilitation which promoted independent, meaningful learning for students placed in different locations all over the country. &nbsp;</span></p>