J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2012 Dec;18(4):442-451.

Effects of Action Learning Approaches on Learning Outcomes in Nursing Management Courses

• Jang KS
• Park SJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify effects of action learning approaches on learning outcomes of students taking nursing management courses.
METHODS
The questionnaire surveys were completed between March 2011 and June 2012 by 109 undergraduate seniors in the nursing department of C University. Survey data were obtained 3 times: before, in and after the study of nursing management. The course consisted of lectures and clinical practices. Learning outcomes were measured through problem solving skills, team efficacy, and class satisfaction. Collected data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with the SPSS 20.0 program.
RESULTS
Scores for problem solving skills (F=13.67, p<.001) and team efficacy (F=4.49, p=.012) showed statistically significant increases after the course. The scores also increased significantly after the lectures for 5 of 9 problem solving skill subscales: analysis skill, divergent thinking, decision making, assessment, feedback, and after the clinical practices for 2 subscales: divergent thinking, and execution and risk taking. Class satisfaction score also increased after both the lectures and the clinical practices.
CONCLUSION
The findings from this study suggest that an action learning approaches for nursing management courses would be a useful teaching and learning method to achieve learning outcomes.

Keyword

Teaching methods; Action learning; Problem solving; Team efficacy

MeSH Terms

Decision Making
Humans
Learning
Lectures
Problem Solving
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk-Taking
Teaching
Thinking

Figure

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  Figure 1 Outline of nursing management course based on action learning approach.

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  Figure 2 Changes in dependent variables after lecture and practice.

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