Learning During School: Using Available Resources

Learning During School

Using Available Resources

On completing this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Identify your knowledge of your school’s learning resource center (LRC), including:

a. Available print and digital resources

b. Available technology

c. Procedures to locate print and digital resources

d. How to use technology to access digital resources

2. Discuss the value of reading assignments in periodicals.

3. Use a periodical index; locate an article related to nursing.

4. Discuss six hints used to gain full value from minilectures and PowerPoint presentations.

5. Compare learner responsibilities for each of the following means of delivering practical/vocational nursing classes/courses.

a. Face-to-face class

b. Distance learning

6. Discuss your responsibilities for each of the following learning strategies:

a. Minilecture, discussion

b. Discussion buddy

c. Cooperative learning

d. Technology use during learning activities

7. Discuss the use of the following resources in your personal learning:

a. Syllabus, course outline, Course Management System (CMS)

b. Nursing skills lab

c. Study skills lab

d. Study groups

f. Audiovisual materials

h. Electronic device (laptop, smartphone, iPad [or other tablet], iPod Touch, etc.)

i. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

1) Case scenarios

2) Static mannequins

3) Electronic mannequins

4) Virtual clinical excursion

8. Describe how the following resources help you stay current in practical/vocational nursing:

a. Periodical indexes

b. Nursing organizations

c. Community resources

d. Guest speakers

e. Mobile devices

9. Discuss professional use of social media/social networking.

audiovisual (AV) materials

(ĂW-dē-ō-VĬZH-ū-ăl, p. 46)

(BLĔN-dĕd, p. 49)

(BŬK-ĭt, p. 47)

(kas sĕn-ĀR-ē-ō, p. 52)

community resources

(kă-MŪ-nĭ-tē RĒ-sŏr-sĕs, p. 54)

computer-aided instruction

computer simulation

(SĬM-ū-LĀ-shūn, p. 52)

cooperative learning

(kō-WŎP-ĕr-ă-TĬV, p. 48)

(KŎP-ē-rīt, p. 47)

Content Management System (CMS)

course outlines

(kŏrs ŎWT-līn, p. 50)

digital databases

(DĀT-ă-bās, p. 54)

discussion buddy

(dĭs-KŬ-shŭn, p. 48)

distance learning

(DĬS-tăns, p. 49)

electronic devices

(Ē-lĕk-trŏn-ĭc, p. 51)

electronic simulation

interlibrary loan services

learning resource center (LRC)

lecture-discussion strategy

nursing organizations

(NŬR-sĭng ŏr-gă-nĭ-ZĀ-shŭns, p. 54)

nursing skills lab

(NŬR-sĭng skĭlz, p. 50)

periodical index

(PĬR-ē-ŏd-ĭ-kăl ĭn-DĔKS, p. 53)

(PĬR-ē-ŏd-ĭ-kălz, p. 53)

(PŎD-căst, p. 51)

reference materials

(RĔF-rĕnts mă-TER-rē-ăls, p. 47)

(SĬM-ū-LĀ-shŭn, p. 52)

(SŌ-shŭl ME-dē-ăh, p. 54)

social networking

(SŌ-shŭl NĔT-wŏrk-ēng, p. 54)

static simulation

(STŬ-dē groop, p. 50)

study skills lab

(STŬ-dē skĭlz, p. 50)

(TOO-tŏr-ēng, p. 50)

virtual clinical excursions

(VĔR-choo-ăl, p. 53)

Knowing where and how to access nursing information makes keeping up-to-date for patient care and passing the NCLEX-PN® less stressful. It will protect your nursing license, too.

The focus of this chapter is to provide information about additional resources for information used in practical/vocational nursing. Because you are never done learning, suggestions are given to help you stay up-to-date in nursing for clinical, for the NCLEX-PN®, and as a graduate. Even if you have past experience in an educational program of study, you will find information in this chapter that will help you adjust to and succeed in the practical/vocational nursing program with less stress and frustration.

Your School’s Learning Resource Center

If you are a returning adult student, you know the learning resource center (LRC) as the library. Today, some students walk to the library to access what they need, and others just point their mouse and click. LRC reflects the increased scope of the library in the twenty-first century. The center consists of a lot more than books. How do you feel when you find out you must use the learning resource center? If you have some negative feelings, perhaps it is because you are unfamiliar with the sources of information contained in this resource and how to access and use them.

Different student skill levels and different resources of the learning resource center

All LRCs have similar print and digital resources or access to these resources. However, not all LRCs are equal in technology. The LRC is a large item in any school budget. States face huge budget deficits. These deficits may affect which technology and resources your LRC contains. Some of you are skilled at using the LRC and its resources (Box 5-1). We recognize your ability. If you are skilled in this area, be aware that some of your peers may not be as skilled in using the LRC and its general resources and technology. They will find the hints in this chapter helpful. Because of the differences in your LRC, compared to the LRC of other programs and student differences in skill level, this chapter focuses on what tasks you need to be able to do as a practical/vocational nursing (SPN/SVN) student in your LRC to obtain nursing information for class and clinical (Box 5-2).

Box 5-1 Checklist of Tasks Needed to Fully Use Learning Resource Center General Resources and Technology

Identify which of the following tasks you are able to carry out in your LRC by writing “Yes” next to them. Write “No” next to the tasks you are unable to carry out.

• Does the LRC staff provide tours and/or orientation to services in person or online?

• Are library staff available to provide support by phone, email, and/or real-time online?

• How does my LRC classify all of its print and digital holdings (books, videotapes, periodicals, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.)?

• How can I find the call number of a specific item?

• Once I have the call number, how can I locate a specific item?

• Where do I check out a specific item for home use?

• Can I access resources in my LRC from my home computer?

• How do I check out AV equipment for home use?

• How can I access needed resources that are not in my LRC?

• How can I access reference materials? (These would include an English dictionary, medical and nursing dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, yearbooks, atlases, handbooks, and other similar categories of books.)

• Can I access learning resources in other schools’ LRCs?

• Where is the circulation desk?

• Where are the copying machines?

• Are there computers for personal use? Do they have Internet access?

• Where can I study in the LRC?

• How can I reserve a room for group study?

• Where are pamphlets located?

• Is there a Wi-Fi hot spot for a personal laptop, smartphone, iPod Touch, or iPad (or other tablet)?

Box 5-2 Checklist of Tasks Needed to Fully Use LRC Nursing Resources and Technology

Identify which of the following tasks you are able to carry out in your LRC and write “Yes” next to them. Write “No” next to the tasks you are unable to carry out.

• How do I access print and digital nursing periodical listings?

• How do I access periodical indexes for nursing topics?

• How do I access current print and digital nursing journals and periodicals?

• How do I access back issues of print and digital nursing journals and periodicals?

• How can I obtain a copy of articles in back issues of nursing journals and periodicals?

• How can I obtain a print or digital copy of an article in a nursing journal or periodical if my LRC does not subscribe to the publication?

• Does my LRC have online databases for nursing and general information?

• Where are the nursing texts located in the stacks?

• What is the procedure for accessing nursing materials that have been put on reserve for nursing classes?

• Are mobile devices available for use in the clinical area? If so, what nursing information is available for use with these devices?

• Are handheld computers available for class/clinical use?

• Are earphones supplied?

• Box 5-1 includes a checklist of tasks you need to carry out to fully use the general print and digital resources and technology of your LRC for your student year and as a graduate.

• Box 5-2 includes a checklist of tasks you need to carry out to fully use the nursing resources and technology of your LRC for your student year and as a graduate.

Despite prior LRC experience, you need to identify and correct any deficiencies in regard to using nursing resources and technology in your school’s LRC. Knowing how to carry through the tasks will save you energy, time, and frustration.

Checklist—General and Nursing Resources and Technology

On index cards or notepads, list the general and nursing LRC tasks from Boxes 5-1 and 5-2 with which you are not familiar.

Where to start

Investigate your learning resource center. You need to know the physical layout of the LRC and general hours of operation. Is a tour available in person or online? Touring the LRC can save you many wasted hours and much frustration later in the school year. Is an informational brochure available? You will find that your LRC contains a wealth of services that will help make your time in the practical/vocational nursing program easier and less stressful. Ask the librarian the best way for you to find the answers to items on your checklists with which you are unfamiliar. LRC staff are available to answer questions. Because the LRC is a learning area, you need to help to keep it a quiet environment. A simple “please” and “thank you” for staff efforts will be appreciated.

Critical Thinking

Filling in the Gaps in My Learning Resource Center Knowledge

On the index cards or notepads you used for the previous learning exercise (Boxes 5-1 and 5-2), list the solutions to the tasks you could not carry out but found by investigating the LRC. To save time when using the LRC, refer to these notes as needed.

General Information About Resources of the Library

Librarian

This is perhaps the best resource in the whole school. The librarian is a college-educated specialist who knows what the library has to offer in the area of information and where that information can be found. Look at the librarian as a professional educator about information for learning and as a person who is always ready to assist you. Is the librarian available by email or real-time online to answer questions? When you ask for assistance in person, be sure to watch the process the librarian uses to obtain the information you need. The next time, you will be able to help yourself!

Circulation Desk

The circulation desk is the area where library materials that can be checked out are processed. If materials that can be checked out are reserved by your instructor, they will probably be found here. They can be checked out for short periods, along with audiovisual equipment to use with the material, if needed. Materials are returned to this desk.

Online Catalog

You can obtain a lot of information about your LRC by yourself once you understand the cataloging system. Most LRC’s card catalogs are online (computerized) catalogs. All print and digital materials found in your LRC are indexed in this computerized system. In addition to books, cataloged materials also include audiovisual materials (audiorecordings, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.). You can search for desired materials by subject, title, or author. The LRC may also have access to free or purchased access to digital databases. If the LRC does not have the material you are searching for, but another LRC on the online system does, this information might also be included.

In some systems students are able to access the online catalog and digital resources from home via computer, user name, and password. This system of cataloging saves students valuable time and energy.

Locating in-house resources

Libraries may choose to use either of two systems to classify in-house materials so they are easy to locate: the Dewey Decimal system and the Library of Congress classification system. Regardless of the system your library uses, the call number shown on the author, title, or subject screens is the same number as that on the material itself. Copy, in order, all the letters and numbers in the call number.

The Stacks

Armed with the call number, you can proceed to the stacks—the place where the majority of materials that can be checked out are located. The books are placed in call number order according to academic disciplines. When you do find the material you are looking for, note that materials covering the same subject are shelved in the same area. You might find additional useful material on the same shelf.

Reference Materials

Reference materials include dictionaries and other similar categories of books, including medical and nursing dictionaries, almanacs, yearbooks, atlases, encyclopedias, and handbooks. Some of these resources can be found online. You will find up-to-date information on any subject in this area. Print reference books generally do not circulate. Information from print reference materials may be copied on a copy machine if the book cannot be checked out. Online information can be printed.

Interlibrary Loan Services

Interlibrary loan services allow your LRC to borrow materials you need that are not in your library’s holdings. Print books and audiovisual materials are available through this service. A link for a digital full-text version of an article may be provided. If your LRC does not have the periodical in which an article you need is located or an electronic subscription to the source, a photocopy of the article or a link, free of charge, might be obtained from a library that does have some form of the periodical.

Vertical Files (Pamphlet Files)

Vertical files contain pamphlets of various subjects arranged in alphabetical order by topic.

Professional Journals

Practical/vocational nurses need to be aware of sources that will provide up-to-date, relevant, and accurate information on nursing topics. Professional journal articles give you the opportunity to stay on top of the latest research in nursing and its application. In addition to articles that are assigned reading, practical/vocational nurses need to be self-directed in finding and using articles that pertain to selected nursing topics and nursing problems occurring in the clinical area. Professional journals of interest to practical/vocational nurses include, but are not limited to, The Journal of Practical Nursing; Nursing Made Incredibly Easy; Nursing2012 (the year in the title changes as the year changes); and The American Journal of Nursing.

Nursing Periodicals

Identify the location of the aforementioned nursing journals in your LRC. Determine which of them will help you keep up-to-date in nursing. Identify the location of other nursing periodicals.

Articles

All learners are looking for the perfect textbook, the one that is complete and self-contained. It does not exist! Specific journal articles may be assigned to give you up-to-date information to supplement the readings in your textbooks. Use the same hints for reading textbooks when reading these articles.

Copyright laws prohibit the instructor from copying an article for each of you. For this reason the required reading articles may be available on a reserve basis in the LRC by photocopy or digitally by a link within a Course Management System (CMS). Because copyright laws allow you to have one copy of an article, photocopy or print the reserve article for your own use. Underline, highlight, write in the margins, or type a note on your copy. Remember, the instructor knows you are busy. Articles are not busywork but a necessary part of any career education to keep current in your discipline.

Magazines and Newspapers

Include newspapers and popular magazines as sources of information on health-related topics. Magazine articles never replace professional journal reading, but they do provide information that your patients read. As one practical nursing student said, “I had better be up-to-date and understand what my patients are reading.” Be aware of the author’s expertise. This will help you evaluate the accuracy of the information on the topic and suitability for health care.

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Tags: Success in PracticalVocational Nursing From Student to Leader

Mar 1, 2017 | Posted by admin in NURSING | Comments Off

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