Oasis, Online Abstract Submission and Invitation System

Presentation Number:

Location:

Riverside Exhibit Hall

Title:

Web 2.0 Tools in Medical and Nursing School Curriculum

Author Block:

Trey Lemley, Information Services Librarian; Judy Burnham, AHIP, Director; Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Abstract:

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which social networking tools are being used in the curriculum of medical and nursing schools.
Methods: A questionnaire was developed to determine the extent of the use of social networking tools in the curriculum of medical and nursing schools. The questionnaire was sent to the DR-ED email list, to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Instructional Leadership Network email list and to the Association of Academic Health Science Libraries (AAHSL) email list, asking the AAHSL participants to forward to those responsible for curriculum at their institution. Results from the questionnaire were analyzed to determine the extent of the use of Web 2.0 tools in the curriculum of health science schools, using descriptive analysis.

Results: The majority of respondents involved in medical school curriculum are not currently using Web 2.0 tools, and those that are, are using them in campus-based courses. The majority of medical school respondents are using the tools personally. About one-half of the respondents involved in nursing school curriculum are using the tools both for online and on-campus classes. The majority of nursing school respondents are not using Web 2.0 tools for personal use.
Conclusions: Web 2.0 tools are slowly being introduced into the curriculum of medical and nursing schools for a variety of uses. Health sciences librarians have the opportunity to work with the faculty to encourage use of these tools for better collaboration.