Education and Ethics In Nursing ISSN: 2322-5300

Nursing Students' Experiences of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Education: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study

https://doi.org/10.22034/ethic.2024.2034668.1081
Volume 13, 3-4
July 2024
Pages 49-64
Education and Ethics In Nursing ISSN: 2322-5300

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Amir Shahzeydi 1
zahra hadian 2
sedigheh farzi 1
Sima Babaei 1

1 Associated Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 MSc of Nursing. Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
Introduction: Virtual education in nursing is very crucial, as it provides flexibility and wide access to education, especially in challenging situations. However, in Iran, only a limited number of universities have successfully implemented virtual education. According to the recommendations of studies, the issues and problems related to virtual education should be addressed to improve the learning process of students. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of nursing students regarding the advantages and disadvantages of virtual education.
Methods & Materials: In this qualitative study, 13 nursing and midwifery students from Isfahan University were purposefully selected in 2023. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis and the five-step method of Graneheim and Lundman, with the support of MAXQDA-10 software. The Lincon and Guba criteria were also used to validate the data.
Results: The advantages of virtual education included flexibility, easy access to content, prevention of pandemic diseases, participation in extra-curricular activities, optimization of resourses, and development of educational participation. The disadvantages were also categorized into three categories: factors related to instructors, factors related to students, and inadequacies of the infrastructure for online education.
Conclusion: The disadvantages of virtual education in Iran are concerning due to infrastructure limitations, low internet speed, high costs, and inadequate training of instructors, compared to developed countries. Therefore, before implementing virtual education, the students' abilities to use the internet, educational software, and online resources should be carefully evaluated.

Keywords

Virtual Reality
Education
Content Analysis
Qualitative Research
Subjects
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