Enhancing traditional, televised, and videotaped courses with Web-based technologies: A comparison of student satisfaction

Background: Varied distance learning strategies can be used to deliver nurs ing courses, including interactive television, videotape, and Web-based app roaches. Purposes: (1) To assess student assess student satisfaction with a critical care elective course offered simultaneously via traditional and distance l earning formats in which Web-based strategies were added, and (2) to compar e satisfaction of students taking the traditional course versus those takin g the class via distance technology. Methods: Students (n = 113) who took the course during the spring 1998 and 1999 semesters completed a teacher-constructed evaluation at the end of the semester. Findings: Mean ratings on the evaluation were positive. Ratings of interact ion, communication with instructor, and facilitation of learning were highe r from students who took the traditional course. Conclusions: The application of Web-based technologies may be one factor fo r the overall course satisfaction. However, it is important to continue to evaluate strategies that work best for students caking courses via distance technology.