E-Learning Strategies in Nursing Education During Pandemics
Summary
During pandemics, traditional face-to-face nursing education faces abrupt disruption, demanding rapid deployment of e-learning strategies to maintain curriculum continuity and clinical competency development. Institutions have implemented a spectrum of digital approaches, including live virtual lectures, pre-recorded modules and interactive multimedia, to replace or augment in-person instruction. Pedagogical scaffolding—structured support that guides learners through progressively complex tasks—has been central to compensating for limited clinical exposure, often via virtual simulations or augmented-reality scenarios. Small-group breakout sessions and peer-led discussion forums foster social presence and collaborative problem-solving, addressing isolation and motivation challenges. Blended models, combining synchronous and asynchronous elements, optimise flexibility and engagement, while formative assessment tools—online quizzes, e-portfolios and rapid feedback loops—offer continuous performance monitoring. Mobile learning platforms and low-bandwidth solutions have extended access in resource-constrained settings, emphasising equity and inclusivity. Faculty development in digital pedagogy and robust technical support underpin successful implementation, acknowledging that effective e-learning requires both technological readiness and carefully designed instructional strategies. Collectively, these measures ensure that nursing graduates emerging from pandemic-era programmes retain essential clinical reasoning and practical skills, maintaining standards of patient care worldwide.
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E-Learning Strategies in Nursing Education During Pandemics publication trend
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Technical terms
E-learning: Delivery of education through digital platforms and internet-based technologies, replacing or supplementing traditional classroom instruction.
Blended learning: An instructional approach that combines synchronous live sessions with asynchronous online materials to balance interaction and flexibility.
Synchronous learning: Real-time online teaching where instructors and learners engage simultaneously via video conferencing or live chat.
Asynchronous learning: Self-paced study using pre-recorded lectures, readings and discussion boards without the need for simultaneous participation.
Scaffolding: Pedagogical technique providing structured, step-by-step support that is gradually removed as learners gain independence and competence.
References
- Digital learning in nursing education: lessons from the COVID-19 lockdown. BMC Nursing (2024).
- Communication and cooperation challenges in the online classroom in the COVID-19 era: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Education (2023).
- Iranian nursing students experiences regarding the status of e-learning during COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE (2022).
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