Effect self directed learning readiness of nursing students of the web based learning

Today, the developing web technologies are involved in the education system, which results in the rapid spread of web based learning environments. The development of web based learning emphasizes that the skill of self-directed learning is the key element of success in the web based learning. This study aimed to present the effect of a web based lesson on the readiness of nursing students regarding self-directed learning. The study was planned in a quasi-experimental way with a single group in the pretest-posttest order. The study group consisted of 162 second-grade students who were registered to the web based Patient Education course in a school of nursing in Turkey during the fall semester of the school year of 2011-2012. The data were collected by using the "Information Form", "Scale of Readiness for Self-Directed Learning" during the first week of the web based lesson and at the end of the lesson 14 weeks later. Majority of nursing students who comprised the study group were women and their age average was 20.28 +/- 1.59. All students were using the internet. The difference between the score averages of students regarding readiness for self-directed learning before and after the web based course was found to be statistically and highly significant. The results showed that a web based course positively affects the readiness of students regarding self-directed learning. According to these results; it could be suggested to integrate the web based learning environments into education programs in order to develop the readiness of nursing students regarding self-directed learning. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd