Doctoral Work

Nova Southeastern University (February 2004)
School of Computer and Information Systems,
Computing Technology in Education
Fort Lauderdale, FL

GPA: 4.0

Courses: HCI, Authorware, Telecommunications/Networks, Courseware, Seminar in Online Education, Research Methodology, Multimedia Systems, Learning Theory

Dissertation Abstract: Web-based Continuing Education for Midwifery Preceptors: Building Online Community [Screenshots: preceptors.org, course page]

This was a developmental study involving web-based continuing education for midwifery preceptors. Providing continuing education opportunities for clinical preceptors promotes high quality education of midwifery students and keeps an ongoing pool of mentors available. Educational programs need to verify that their preceptors are educated to teach and mentor students. Many practicing midwives are not able to document formal education on “learning to teach.”

A website was developed based on information provided from a focus group of preceptors and educational program directors, and a review of the literature. A usability evaluation was performed and participants surveyed to see if the website met the midwives educational and social expectations. In addition to demographic data, the Practical Heuristics for Usability Evaluation questionnaire (Perlman, 1997), a wish list questionnaire, and the Classroom Community Scale questionnaire (Rovai, 2002b) were used to collect usability and subjective data online from the midwives who used the site.

The usability evaluation identified a few interface issues, but was mostly positive and found the site easy to use with good navigation. The online Preceptor Manual course was created using instructional objectives and a module format that provided narrative content and recall and procedure processes to promote learning. The preceptors rated the site high for meeting the need of acquiring CEUs. The sample size was too small to determine any significant differences in the course pre-tests and post-tests

The site did not attract enough volume to create an impressive sense of community. The participants did highly rate the presence of the online collaboration tools with many comments that it would be helpful to have more people using the site. With more participants, more courses, and more professional incentives, the sense of community would possibly increase over time.

This research gives the midwifery governing bodies, educational programs, and preceptors more insight into what the educational needs of preceptors are and ways that these needs can be met through web-based continuing education.