Perceptions of the use of technology in a blended learning occupational health nursing programme in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Blended learning refers to an educational strategy that combines face-to-face classroom instruction with on-line learning. This teaching strategy was introduced into an occupational health nursing (OHN) programme at the Durban University of Technology in 2011. Because computer literacy might be a challenge for mature nursing students, a programme evaluation using a mixed method design was conducted to assess perceptions of the blended learning programme. Both quantitative data from cohorts of fi rst and second year OHN students and qualitative data from all of the lecturers teaching in the programme were collected. Computer anxiety was signifi -cantly higher for fi rst-year students compared to second-year students (p< 0.001). Lecturers also indicated barri-ers to using on-line technology for teaching. Interventions need to be developed to decrease computer anxiety.