¶ … nursing school students can apply their critical skills in appropriate ways that maximizes critical thinking. The researchers documented in their research the ability for nurses to interact and learn with people from elder generations. The authors wrote "Educators and instructors who work with young health professionals need to be aware of the short-term effects of service learning activities on students' knowledge of aging in general and their longer term effects on students' knowledge of mental health care needs in the aging population. The knowledge and attitude gains are limited. This may suggest that service learning activities stimulate students' learning of aging issues and older adults' actual needs." This study is useful because it highlights the importance of service learning and how this approach can be used in a manner to increase patient outcomes. By documenting the way of service as a learning method to explore critical thinking models that can be used in academic forums and teaching experiences.

2.

Learning principles that are based upon ideals based in equity fairness and exploring novel themes are best served for those in the nursing profession. For example, the principle of scholarship is highlighted as a means of attaining excellence within the classroom. Nurses learning methods must be based on solid scholarship methods and behaviors. Facts, data and research need to be based on time honored research based on empirical evidence.

Another important learning principle that I resonate strongly with is the freedom to explore subjects and topics. Learning requires breaking norms and past ways of thinking. Keeping an open mind is paramount in achieving any real learning. Asking the right questions that attempt to delve deep into unknown concepts, can be threatening to well established institutions, and some resistance is to be expected when breaking free of outdated modes of thinking.

3.

The "Code of Fair Testing Practices located on the APA website provides useful guidance for educators who are developing tests to assess the learning of their students. This long and detailed code provides helpful models that present a fair testing ground. Fairness is the explicit intention of this code and assist nursing educators in developing assessments that ensure " all test takers are given a comparable opportunity to demonstrate what they know and how they can perform in that area."

The document itself is helpful in some ways and should be understood by all future instructors and teachers who depend on creating fair assessments. This code should only be used as a guide that can be still relevant today if applied with the same eternal principles that make education and learning the important practice of human development. Some revision ins necessary to update the technological advances in the last decade, as these methods has altered the way teachers approach their profession

4.

A reasonable evaluation strategy for patient education should be based on the particular circumstances of the patient themselves. The amount of detail necessary for patient education should not exceed that of the medical professional, but requires some basic components that illuminate the most important aspects of healing. Firstly patients, need to understand the risks and dangers of their condition. Another important component of patient education relies on the patient knowing the treatment options available. Strategies in forming these evaluation or assessments should reflect strong leadership ideals coupled with a fair and unbiased attitude. Stromberg (2005) agreed with this argument when he concluded that "Health care professionals need to be skilled in assessing the requirements and level of education given to the individual. New technologies such as computer-based education and telemonitoring can be used as tools to improve the education. Patient education is an important component of heart failure care and should be provided through effective and well-evaluated strategies."

5.

Technology has provided new and novel ways for nursing educators to reach out and teach their students the proper and necessary components of their profession. Smartphones have provided individuals with massively powerful tools to communicate ideas with detail and speed not seen in previous generations. These devices also serve as a distraction if not properly aligned with the activities of learning that they are designed to affect.

Learners must apply personal discipline when using their smartphone in any educational context. The amount of information that is available to students presents problems of information overload. Teachers need to streamline lessons to avoid the distractions of technology and allow for step-by-step growth. Axley (2008) agreed when she wrote "The past decade has seen a significant increase in the use of electronic media in educational settings. This use of technology...

Of concern, however, are challenges facing faculty who did not "grow up" in the computer age."
6.

Nursing students are both similar and different to other students who use technology to advance their education. Nurses are different due to the nature of their work and the importance of the life saving and health promotion of their occupation. The nature of nursing also requires a constant inflow of new and updated information that can be accessed to in educational mattes. Other types of students in subjects such as art, math and philosophy may not need the readily accessible information that technology can provide.

8.

Before the advent of the internet, correspondence courses were used to facilitate distance learning. This type of education's historical development began when people who found themselves in remote environments, with no access to learning resources, could, by mail, attend various courses of learning. This type of distance learning was conducted by mail services and required mostly independent study and then the completion of certain assignments. This type of format has advantages because of the independent nature of the model and because it is relatively cheap and does not drain resources. This method of education has drawbacks because group learning has significant advantages. "Today the use of technology in healthcare is no longer optional, as noted by a federal mandate in April of 2004 in which the United States government called for the nationwide adoption of electronic medical records. This created an immediate need to prepare a technologically competent workforce," (Axley, 2008).

9.

Students who choose distance education methods to achieve their educational goals must have certain attributes that allow themselves to be more flexible and willing to learn things on their own without having to be micro managed. This faculty of independence is essential for those students who are willing to experiment with distance learning programs (Loefller & Perkins, 2010). These programs will demonstrate the ability of a student to teach themselves in many instances. Teachers who teach in these types of programs need to be correspondingly hands off, and allow students to explore their own personal approach to the subject to hand.

10.

The role of faculty in distance learning is guide students into learning. These teachers must demonstrate their ability to act as a valid resource that students can depend upon when the time comes. Faculty's role will also depend on the course, subject and resources available in the program. What is most important for faculty in understanding their role lies in their ability to act as a medium between the students and the course objectives. This role is more of a facilitator than a traditional educator.

Distance learning courses also put more emphasis on students working with one another in collaborative efforts. Teachers and faculty need to approach this resource and exploit it for all its worth as a facilitator within distance learning courses (Loefller & Perkins, 2010). Encouraging students to learn from all experiences and interactions should be the goal of any teacher. Learning can occur in many different ways and in many different environments. Identifying these opportunities and translating them to students is essential. "The online course facilitator encourages substantive interactions among the participants by monitoring and shaping conversations with targeted interventions, and by refraining from extensive direct interaction. If the online instructor puts him or herself in the focal point of all communication, teaching is cumbersome and less productive even with enrollment as small as ten or twelve, " (Ryan, 2004).

11.

Assessments that are performed by educators need to be held to a high standard of quality regardless of the format or course. Distance learning environments and traditional learning environments each provide a unique opportunity for students to learn. Assessing students in distance learning environments requires a different approach than historically standard assessment methods (Holder, 2007). For instance test taking is more of a reliable method in traditional classrooms and can ensure a high quality method of assessment. This same approach would most likely not make a high quality assessment in distance learning programs due to the opportunity to cheat.

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A teaching faculty can be woven into a tight knit group if the proper leadership is applied to the group. This is a very helpful in building rapport within the group to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment for students to thrive within. The advent of distance learning programs has provided more flexibility for academic institutions in hiring the right people to teach the right courses. By including adjunct professors, certain…