Blended learning and simulation in nursing education: A quasi-experimental study on a nursing institute.

BACKGROUND: The nursing module teaches basic nursing principles and procedures to undergraduate nursing students. This course is important for the acquisition of procedural and psychomotor skills. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of blended training on the acquisition of practical skills related to gastric insertion tubes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was undertaken, containing three groups: The blended group benefited from e-learning, followed by simulation), while the two groups benefited from theoretical teaching and procedural simulation. Then, the degrees of acquisition of declarative and procedural knowledge and the time of completion were measured. RESULTS: The declarative knowledge grade was higher in the Simulation (16.07) and Blended (15.21) groups than in the Traditional Group (11.66), with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The results also showed a statistically significant difference between the procedural knowledge grades of the three groups (P < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was detected between declarative and procedural knowledge scores (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between procedural knowledge and the time of completion (r = -0.422, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experimentation confirm the positive effect of the blended learning approach on the acquisition of declarative and procedural knowledge as well as the time management allocated to teaching.

Entorno virtual Estadística Sanitaria como herramienta didáctica para fortalecer la educación a distancia en Enfermería

La sociedad del conocimiento ha provocado cambios en la forma de generar y trasmitir el conocimiento; es por esto que el papel de la universidad hoy es proporcionar aprendizajes en los estudiantes en correspondencia con el desarrollo económico, cultural y social de cada país. Po tal motivo se diseñó el entorno virtual Estadística Sanitaria como herramienta didáctica para fortalecer la educación a distancia en Enfermería. Se realizó una investigación de desarrollo entre septiembre de 2018 a junio de 2020 en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Bayamo "Efraín Benítez Popa. Para desarrollar el entorno virtual de aprendizaje se utilizó la plataforma Moodle. Para el diseño y evaluación del software se utilizó una configuración de RUP (por sus siglas, Rational Unified Process), el método Delphi y el coeficiente de concordancia W de Kendall. Se implementó una herramienta que permite a los profesores gestionar cursos virtuales en línea de apoyo a la enseñanza presencial. Su diseño proporciona facilidad de uso y de gestión, permite la administración de perfiles de usuario, la gestión de actividades y recursos de los cursos creados, y la administración del sitio. El software desarrollado es una herramienta didáctica flexible orientada al usuario para la gestión de los contenidos básicos de Estadística Sanitaria y responde a las necesidades del modelo del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje de la de esta asignatura.

The knowledge society has caused changes in the way knowledge is generated and transmitted; That is why the role of the university today is to provide learning in students in correspondence with the economic, cultural and social development of each country. For this reason, the virtual environment Health Statistics was designed as a didactic tool to strengthen distance education in Nursing. A development research was carried out between September 2018 and June 2020 at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Bayamo "Efraín Benítez Popa. To develop the virtual learning environment, the Moodle platform was used. For the design and evaluation of the software, a configuration of RUP (for its acronym, Rational Unified Process), the Delphi method and the Kendall coefficient of agreement W were used. A tool was implemented that allows teachers to manage online virtual courses to support face-to-face teaching. Its design provides ease of use and management, allows the administration of user profiles, the management of activities and resources of the created courses, and the administration of the site. The software developed is a flexible didactic tool oriented to the user for the management of the basic contents of Health Statistics and responds to the needs of the model of the teaching-learning process of this subject.

A sociedade do conhecimento tem provocado mudanças na forma como o conhecimento é gerado e transmitido; É por isso que o papel da universidade hoje é proporcionar aprendizagem nos alunos em correspondência com o desenvolvimento econômico, cultural e social de cada país. Por essa razão, o ambiente virtual Estatísticas de Saúde foi concebido como uma ferramenta didática para fortalecer a educação a distância em Enfermagem. Uma pesquisa de desenvolvimento foi realizada entre setembro de 2018 e junho de 2020 na Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Bayamo "Efraín Benítez Popa. Para o desenvolvimento do ambiente virtual de aprendizagem, foi utilizada a plataforma Moodle. Para o projeto e avaliação do software, foram utilizadas uma configuração de RUP (para sua sigla, Rational Unified Process), o método Delphi e o coeficiente de concordância de Kendall W. Foi implementada uma ferramenta que permite aos professores gerir cursos virtuais online para apoiar o ensino presencial. Seu design proporciona facilidade de uso e gerenciamento, permite a administração de perfis de usuários, o gerenciamento de atividades e recursos dos cursos criados e a administração do site. O software desenvolvido é uma ferramenta didática flexível orientada ao usuário para a gestão dos conteúdos básicos de Estatística em Saúde e responde às necessidades do modelo do processo de ensino-aprendizagem desta disciplina.

Uso de Moodle para la formación de especialistas en Bioestadística en tiempos de COVID-19 / Usage of Moodle for training Biostatistics Specialists during COVID-19 times

Introducción: La Escuela Nacional de Salud Pública es el centro coordinador y rector de la formación de especialistas en Bioestadística del país. A partir de la emergencia generada por la COVID-19, el proceso formativo de esta especialidad se vio interrumpido. La educación a distancia a través de entornos de enseñanza-aprendizaje resultó la única opción posible para reanudar el proceso. Objetivo: Exponer la experiencia de uso de Moodle en la formación de especialistas en Bioestadística a partir de la epidemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio de caso descriptivo, realizado entre septiembre de 2020 y febrero de 2021. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por los dos estudiantes matriculados en el primer año del curso académico 2020-2021. Se aplicó una encuesta estructurada a los alumnos sobre aspectos del curso 1 y 2 del programa y se realizó consulta a expertos para la evaluación. Resultados: Se identificaron las carencias para reorientar el proceso. La selección de las actividades prácticas y evaluativas estuvo guiada por el análisis de los objetivos temáticos y la naturaleza de los contenidos. La evaluación de los resultados y el análisis de la encuesta permitió conocer en profundidad aspectos a perfeccionar en futuras ediciones. Conclusiones: El estudio evidenció que la modalidad virtual constituía una vía factible para la formación de posgrado en salud, particularmente durante la COVID-19. Con el análisis de las cuatro condiciones contempladas para los sistemas de instrucción se reconoció la importancia de la etapa de planificación previa y su perfeccionamiento para alcanzar mejores resultados(AU)

Introduction: The National School of Public Health is the center that coordinates and guides the training of Biostatistics specialists in Cuba. Since the emergency caused by COVID-19, the training process of this specialty was interrupted. Distance education through teaching-learning environments was the only possible option to resume the process. Objective: To expose the experience of using Moodle in the training of Biostatistics specialists during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: Descriptive case study carried out between September 2020 and February 2021. The study universe consisted of the two first-year students enrolled for the 2020-2021 academic year. A structured survey was applied to the students regarding aspects of the first two courses the program; expert consultation was carried out for the evaluation. Results: Shortcomings were identified as affecting the reorientation of the process. The selection of practical and evaluative activities was guided by the analysis of the thematic objectives and the nature of the contents. The assessment of the results and the analysis of the survey provided in-depth knowledge of aspects to be improved in future editions. Conclusions: The study evidenced that the virtual modality was a feasible way for postgraduate training in health, particularly during the COVID-19. With the analysis of the four conditions that should be present in instructional systems, the pre-planning stage and its improvement was recognized as important to achieve better results(AU)

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Employers and H&S Services in Relation to the COVID-19 System in Polish Manufacturing Companies.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies had to adapt quickly to survive in the market. During this time, employers played a key role, along with employees involved in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) activities, as they were responsible for implementing the recommendations of the European Commission. There is no unambiguous definition of OHS in Polish legislation. It is assumed that it is a set of rules defining the manner of performing work, and above all, a method of providing employees with working conditions so that their performance is safe and hygienic. Responsibility for the health and safety in the workplace is imposed on the employer by the legislature. Thus, effective health and safety training is an essential element of the success of any properly operating company. In the literature, no studies have been identified that evaluate the effectiveness of actions during the COVID-19 outbreak. The aim of the article is to present the actions of Polish employers along with their effectiveness assessment related to the protection of employees during the COVID-19 outbreak. The article presents a proposal for conducting remote OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) training using the platform Moodle. The created course was implemented during OHS training conducted in a selected manufacturing company. At its end, an evaluation of the course was carried out, and the collected opinions of training participants allowed the formulation of interesting conclusions, which became the contribution of this paper. The authors pay special attention to three main points of the work. The first is the form of training, which gives the possibility to conduct training at a distance while maintaining its effectiveness. The second important point is the mandatory feedback of the trainees, ensuring the possibility of continuous improvement and quality enhancement of both the program and the form of training. The evaluation was developed on the basis of the extended Kirkpatrick model, which is a completely new approach to OHS training evaluation. The third point emphasized by the authors is the possibility of precise adaptation of the training to other plants and even industries. Therefore, it can be concluded that the course developed by the authors is a very interesting and practical didactic tool with great implementation potential.

Programa de estudios para la capacitación de profesores en la plataforma Moodle / Study Program for Teacher's Training in Moodle Platform

Introducción: Se presenta una propuesta de capacitación para contribuir a que los docentes generen y actualicen sus propios cursos en la plataforma virtual de la Facultad de Odontología de La Habana. Objetivo: Diseñar un programa de estudios para el uso de la plataforma virtual Moodle. Métodos: Se realizó un diagnóstico de necesidades de aprendizaje aplicado a una muestra de profesores y se revisó la metodología del curso Entornos Virtuales de Enseñanza Aprendizaje, dirigido por la Universidad Virtual de Salud de Cuba. Resultados: La organización interna del curso se estructuró en tres temas, con carácter semipresencial y duración de 48 horas. Conclusiones: El programa está dirigido a la familiarización de los participantes con el Aula Virtual y con las generalidades de la construcción, montaje y ejecución de las diferentes modalidades de cursos que ofrece la Universidad Virtual de Salud de Cuba(AU)

Introduction: A training proposal is presented for teachers to generate and update their own virtual courses in the Dentistry Faculty of Havana. Objective: To design a study program in the use of the Moodle virtual platform. Methods: A diagnosis of learning needs applied to a sample of professors was made, and the methodology of the Virtual Learning Teaching Environments course, directed by the Virtual Health University of Cuba, was analyzed. Results: The internal organization of the course was structured in three subjects, with a blended nature and duration of 48 hours. Conclusions: The program is aimed at familiarizing participants with the Virtual Classroom and with the generalities of the construction, assembly and execution of courses in the different modalities offered by the Virtual Health University of Cuba, using Moodle platform(AU)

A Retrospective Study of Orthoptic Students' and Teaching Experience with the Introduction of Technology Promoting a Blended Learning Environment: Experiences with technology in a blended learning environment.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the students' experience and academic achievements following the introduction of online learning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 2011, online learning activities were introduced in the teaching of the Research in Orthoptics module for final year undergraduate orthoptic students. The online learning activities were created and delivered in Moodle; an open-source online learning platform. Students from the academic year groups of 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2016-17 completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into 6 categories (relevance, reflection, interactivity, tutor support, peer support and interpretation) with 4 questions within each category. A 5-point Likert scale was used to score each question. The sum of answers within each category ranged from 4 (negative perception) to 20 (positive perception). Student performance was assessed using the marks retrospectively for 2 years before online learning was introduced and when online learning was included. RESULTS: Forty-two students replied to the questionnaire with a mean age of 23.0 ± 2.3 years (range 21-32). There were 38 females (90.5%) and 4 males (9.5%). Combining the 3 academic cohorts there was a significant difference between the 6 categories of the questionnaire (p < 0.0001). Three categories obtained the same high median score of 16: relevance (range 9-20), reflection (range 11-20) and tutor support (range 12-20). Peer support resulted in the lowest median score of 13. Separation of the three academic year cohorts' revealed significant differences for tutor support (p = 0.03). The score increased from 16 in 2012-13 and 2013-14 to 18 in 2016-17. Significant differences were found between the marks for the cohorts from 2009-10 to 2016-17 (F7,245 = 5.07: p < 0.0001). The mean mark for year group 2009-2010 was significantly less compared to 2012-13 (p < 0.0001), 2014-15 (p = 0.01) and 2015-16 (p = 0.02) and year group 2011-12's mark significantly less than 2012/13 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Including online learning in the research module had a positive impact on the student experience, although more work needs to be done to improve peer support. Marks obtained by the orthoptic students have improved since the introduction of online learning suggesting that a mixture of teaching and learning methods is beneficial for students. However, more work needs to be done to provide teacher assistance in the design of online learning and blended learning approach.

Ensino a distância como estratégia de educação permanente em saúde: impacto da capacitação da equipe de Estratégia de Saúde da Família na organização dos serviços / Distance learning as strategy of permanent health education: impact of the Family Health Strategy staff training in the organization of services

A Educação à Distância é uma modalidade de ensino que permite eliminar a separação geográfica entre educador e educando para atender a um número ilimitado de alunos que estejam em busca de formação, capacitação ou atualização profissional. É também, um processo de auto-aprendizado que é incentivado pela utilização de estratégias didáticas bem elaboradas e adequadas às várias situações vigentes. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo conhecer e explanar a vivência dos alunos do município de Amparo participantes da Especialização em Saúde da Família/UNASUS/UNIFESP, 2012, no processo de ensino-aprendizagem através do ensino a distância mediado por tecnologia e avaliar o impacto da educação permanente na organização dos serviços. Através de um modelo de pesquisa qualitativa, buscou-se estabelecer a percepção dos alunos com relação à metodologia, técnica, estratégias de aprendizagem e mudanças ocorridas nos serviços em que estão inseridos os profissionais capacitados. A metodologia, de natureza qualitativa foi utilizada através de grupos focais como processo de análise, nos encontros presenciais e webconferências, estratificados por eixos estruturantes objeto da pesquisa. O público alvo foram os profissionais formados como especialistas em Saúde da Família pelo curso de UNASUS/ UNIFESP do município de Amparo, 2012. As respostas foram classificadas segundo os eixos estruturantes buscando contextualizar o relato dos atores pesquisados...

Distance Learning is a democratic teaching method that allows eliminating the geographic separation between the teacher and educated to attend an unlimited number of students who seeks graduation or professional refreshment. It is also a self-learning process encouraged by the use of well elaborated teaching resources according to the circumstances and contingencies. The objective of this study was to explore and to expand the experience of the UNASUS / UNIFESP Family Health Specialization Course students from Amparo municipality about the teaching-learning process on technology-mediated distance education and to measure its impact as a continuing education in the service organization. A qualitative research model was used in order to establish the student perception related to the methodology, technique, learning strategies and changes occurred in the services they are related to. In the qualitative nature of the methodology used, the focal groups were used for the analyses process, through face-to-face meetings and web conferences stratified by themes of the object studied. The target audience: professionals from Amparo municipality graduated on UNASUS / UNIFESP Family Health specialization course. The answers obtained were classified by axes to contextualize the researched actors report...

Las plataformas de aprendizajes, una alternativa a tener en cuenta en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje / Learning platforms, an alternative to consider in learning - teaching process

El desarrollo e incorporación de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación a la docencia, ha potencializado el uso de Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje (EVA) apoyados en plataformas e-learning en el ámbito universitario a nivel mundial, las cuales permiten la gestión del proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje a través de la web. El trabajo que se presenta tiene como objetivo caracterizar las plataformas de aprendizaje más utilizadas, basado en un análisis de carácter documental a partir de la bibliografía más reciente revisada sobre el tema. Los resultados del análisis pusieron de manifiesto que las plataformas gratuitas de código abierto son las más utilizadas y aunque las plataformas analizadas cumplen todas con los requerimientos básicos que justifican su inclusión en el proceso docente, existió cierta unanimidad a la hora de seleccionar por los docentes e instituciones, la plataforma Moodle(AU)

The development and incorporation of the information and communication technologies to teaching has improved the use of Virtual Learning Environments (EVA, for its Spanish acronyms) supported in e-learning platforms in the university field worldwide. They allow the management of the teaching-learning process through the web. The present work is intended to characterize the most used learning platforms, based on a bibliographical analysis of the most recent literature on the subject. Results of the analysis showed that free open-code platforms are the most used and, even though, all the analyzed platforms meet the basic requirements that justify their inclusion in the teaching process, there was certain unanimity when teachers and institutions selected the Moodle platform(AU)