Computer-based instruction for improving student nurses’ general numeracy: is it effective? Two randomised trials

Online eLearning for undergraduates in health professions: A systematic review of the impact on knowledge, skills, attitudes and satisfaction

“…The duration of exposure ranged from 9.05 minutes to 9 months [83]. Most of the studies (51 out of 60, 85%) were conducted exclusively in high income countries.…”

“…Outcome measures for these studies were based on test items or questions [31, 70], written case analyses [41], MCQs [50,51,56,60,72,77], the Six–subgroup Quality Scale (SSQS) [52], a general numeracy test [83] and independent assessments by evaluators [79]. The sample size of these studies ranged from 39 to 1475.…”

“…Fifty–nine articles [ 25 – 82 ] complied with the term internet and local area network or online eLearning (see Online Supplementary Document (Online Supplementary Document) for detailed description) and were included in the analysis. One study [ 83 ] involved students in 2 consecutive RCTs that were analysed separately (Ainsworth 2012A, Ainsworth 2012B). Thus the total number of evaluated trials was 60.…”

The Techno-Numerate Nurse: Results of a Study Exploring Nursing Student and Nurse Perceptions of Workplace Mathematics and Technology Demands

“…For example, in some nursing programs, attempts have been made to increase numeracy skills among nursing students through the introduction of computer-based or online mathematical learning software (Hodge, 2002), such as the well-known computer-based dosage calculation program, Authentic World, with mixed results in terms of effectiveness (Ainsworth et al, 2012;Hutton et al, 2010). A concerned group of Canadian nursing instructors from both the collaborative BScN program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the practical nursing program at Durham College, formed a joint Math Committee to analyze the inadequacies in their nursing students' mathematics abilities and to plan for math competency development.…”

A whole-of-curriculum approach to improving nursing students' applied numeracy skills

“…For example, Glaister (2005) found that computerised learning was significantly more effective at transferring procedural knowledge than either integrative learning, or a combination of the two, although there were no significant differences between scores on other types of knowledge acquisition. However, following a review of two randomised controlled trials of the online learning programme "Authentic World', Ainsworth et al (2012) reported that use of this computer programme created a small negative effect on numeracy that was statistically significant in one of the trials. Another approach included the use of revision sessions (Hutton et al, 2010).…”