| dc.description.abstract | In this chapter, we first review the research literature pertaining to the use of mobile devices in nursing education and assess the potential of mobile learning (m-learning) for nursing practice education experiences in rural higher education settings. While there are a number of definitions of m-learning, we adopted Koole’s (2005) FRAME model, which describes it as a process resulting from the convergence of mobile technologies, human learning capacities, and social interaction, and use it as a framework to assess this literature. Second, we report on the results of one-on-one trials conducted during the first stage of a two stage, exploratory evaluation study of a project to integrate mobile learning into the Bachelor of Science Nursing curriculum in a Western Canadian college program. Fourth year Nursing students and instructors used Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDAs for a two week period around campus and the local community. The iPAQs provided both WiFi and GPRS wireless capability and were loaded with selected software, including MS Office Mobile, nursing decision-making and drug reference programs. Our participants reported on a variety of benefits and barriers to the use of these devices in nursing practice education. | en |
