Investigating Learning Process Factors Related to Online Learning and Physical Examinations Among Nursing Students

Small Private Online Course (SPOC) is an online method of learning for specific group student in university. This learning method was applied in clinic for nursing students. This study sought to verify SPOC affecting the ability to perform basic physical examinations by nursing students. Factors were identified following an information processing learning theory framework; these factors include online content, characteristics of online learning, online media, and brain learning processes. Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey conducted among 202 nursing students and analyzed with reference to statistics and path analysis using the software AMOS. Online characteristics, quality media online and learning processes directly influenced the physical examination ability of nursing students, whereas online content did not. Despite this, the quality media online and learning processes did influence the ability through the mediation of brain learning processes. Thus, the development of good online lessons should utilize attractive content and quality media; this will arouse the learner’s brain learning processes to achieve learning purpose.

Keywords:Online course; Information processing learning theory; Basic physical examination; Nursing students