Virtual Student Conferences in Brightspace

Virtual Student Research Conferences in D2L Brightspace

Nancyruth Leibold, EdD, MSN, RN, PHN, CNEDepartment of Nursing, Southwest Minnesota State University

Laura Marie Schwarz, DNP, RN, CNESchool of Nursing, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Collegial Collaboration

• Department of Nursing

• Dr. Nancyruth Leibold

• RN to BSN Completion Program

• Online

• School of Nursing

• Dr. Laura M. Schwarz

• Program Coordinator

• RN to BS Completion Program

• Online

After participation in this session,the learner will

•Explain the use of D2L Brightspace as a meeting place for virtual student research conferences.

•Describe the design and considerations of a virtual student conference.

University Undergraduate Research Conferences

Undergraduate research conferences are common events in higher education that allow students to present their research and evidence-based projects.

Problem:However, this is impractical for nursing learners in

an online program to be able to attend.


•Solution: Virtual Research Conferences for Students

Image from Microsoft Clip Art


• Pros• Skill building for students• Builds technology skills for the real world• Removes job or other class or geography barriers

• Cons• Faculty time • No experience of face to face

Have You Ever Attended a Virtual Conference?

Yes 22%

No

78%

598 Respondents

American Nurses Association (2011)

Distance Learning

•The Virtual Conference was consistent with Distance Learning

•Increases interaction•Increases collaboration •(Phillips et al., 2010)

Online Learning

•Students already familiar with D2L Brightspace

Design Considerations

•Convenience

•Use of Multimodal Writing

•Technology

•Change Theory

•Showcase

•Dissemination

Design and Considerations

•Dissemination•Virtual Research Institute•Chamberlain et al. (2014)

Steps in Planning•Planning Committee•Forming•Tasks

•Faculty input

•Student input

•Communications

Steps in Planning

Set Dates ThemesDesign

Conference Hall

Other Planning Committee Tasks

Faculty

Call for Abstracts


Abstract Submission

Planning

Review of Abstracts


Notification to

Submitters

Brochure

Virtual Nursing Symposium• Intended Audience: Students in a RN to BS Nursing

Online Program and the Faculty

• Logo:

Virtual Nursing Symposium•Call for Abstracts

Virtual Nursing Symposium

•Implementation

Virtual Nursing Symposium

• Evaluation

Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference







Conclusion

•Virtual Student Conferences in D2L Brightspace are an alternative to the traditional face to face University Research Conference.

•Questions?

References

• American Nurses Association. (2011). Majority of Respondents Have Not Attended an Online/Virtual Nursing Conference, According to Poll. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/HomepageCategory/Poll-Results/2011-PollArchive/March2011-HYSResults.html

• Chamberlain, R. S., Klaassen, Z., Meadows, M. C., Weitzman, S., & Loukas, M. (2014). St George's University's medical student research institute: A novel, virtual programme for medical research collaboration. The West Indian Medical Journal, 63(1), 81. doi:10.7727/wimj.2013.022

http://www.nursingworld.org/HomepageCategory/Poll-Results/2011-PollArchive/March2011-HYSResults.html

References

• Phillips, B, Shaw, R., Sullivan, D. T., & Johnson, C. (2010). Using virtual environments to enhance nursing distance education. Creative Nursing,16(3), 132-135.

• Sloan, R. (2012). Poster presentations in the virtual world. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 43(11), 485-486. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20121024-24