181011 One Online International Collaborative Community Health Assignment for Two RN/BSN Programs: How We Did It

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 4:50 PM

Carolyn H. Mason, MS, APRN, BC , Department of Nursing, Miami University, Middletown, OH
Francis Sarr, RN, MPH, PhD , School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences Department of Nursing and Reproductive Health, University of the Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
     
Understanding global health issues is required of all nurses today. However, not all students have the luxury of traveling to another country. The use of online technology can enlarge the lives and learning of students from both countries.

This assignment is a result of discussions on collaboration/partnerships between two community health nursing faculty from the University of The Gambia, West Africa and Miami University, Ohio. It was designed to provide opportunities for experienced RN's returning for their BS degrees of both universities to explore the contemporary and relevant public health issues affecting populations in both countries. Gambian and U.S. students were provided opportunities to discuss such issues by means of online collaboration. Students were encouraged to make comparisons and contrasts between the two countries in regard to health issues and nursing roles and responsibilities.

During the assignment the students were able to:

1. Identify priority public health issues facing each country.

2. Compare and contrast the priority issues as they affect each country.

3. Decide on possible course of action for solving or addressing the priority issues in each country.

4. Write a report of their collaborative work and conclusions.

5. Disseminate the information among and within student groups in both countries

Blackboard platform was used for the online discussions through Miami University. Faculty will discuss how the assignment was developed, implemented and the outcomes for both students and faculty from each university.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the conditions necessary to establish a collaborative online community health assignment. Identify the type of preparation students need in order to participate in an online assignment. Identify the benefits of engaging students from more and less developed countries in collaborative education. Anticipate ways to overcome potential barriers in their own educational setting to implement such a strategy.

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently teaching in the community health course with the other co author Dr.Francis Sarr. I helped developed the assignment with him.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Nursing Education Without Walls
See more of: Public Health Nursing