Library and Book Access In Distant Education In Nursing Distance education (DE) in nursing has revolutionized how students access learning, allowing them to pursue academic goals while managing work and personal responsibilities. However, DE requires robust systems to support students, particularly in accessing critical tools such as email, learning resources, libraries, and bookstores. This article explores how institutions can provide efficient support in these areas to ensure student success.
Setting Email Accounts for Distance Education
Setting up email accounts is one of the most important initial steps for students enrolled in DE programs. Institutions must decide whether students will use university email accounts or their personal accounts from their Internet service providers. Email is crucial for facilitating communication between students, faculty, and support services, making timely setup essential.
Key Considerations for Email Setup:
- University Email vs. Personal Email: If the university requires the use of its email system, access must be arranged cost-effectively, especially for students who live outside the local area. Some universities use email systems integrated into web-based course management platforms (such as Blackboard or Canvas), allowing for a separate course-related email. This separation helps students manage communications and prevents course-related emails from being lost in personal inboxes filled with non-academic correspondence.
- Email Distribution Lists: Faculty should collect students’ email addresses and set up distribution lists to easily communicate with the entire class. This enables quick dissemination of important information, announcements, and assignments.
- Technical Support for Email: DE students may face technical difficulties when setting up or accessing their email accounts. Institutions should provide clear instructions and offer technical support to assist students during the setup process and throughout the course.
Access and Use of Learning Resources in Nursing Education
One of the challenges of distance learning is the access to learning resources, such as libraries, learning labs, and other academic supports, that are readily available on-campus. Institutions must ensure that DE students have alternative means of accessing these resources.
Key Strategies for Accessing Learning Resources:
- Online Access to Learning Tools: Many collaborative tools are available online, allowing DE students to access experts, mentors, professional peers, virtual simulations, case studies, and interactive learning modules. Faculty should guide students on how to locate, retrieve, evaluate, and use these resources effectively.
- Flexibility in Learning Activities: Faculty must design learning activities that are flexible enough to accommodate students’ varying access to resources. This might involve offering alternative assignments or allowing students to use different methods to access the required materials, such as digital simulations or online articles, depending on what is available in their geographic location.
- Planning for Access Time: Accessing online resources can take time, especially for students with limited internet connectivity or those using outdated technology. Faculty should factor in access time when setting deadlines for assignments, ensuring students have adequate time to retrieve materials and complete their work.
- Resource Availability Across Time Zones: In DE programs that include students from various time zones and cultural contexts, faculty must consider the availability of resources and support services, such as holidays or weekends, which might impact a student’s ability to access materials.
Library Access in Nursing Education
Libraries play a critical role in supporting DE students, as access to journals, articles, and databases is essential for completing research and assignments. Institutions must provide convenient ways for students to access library resources, often without needing to visit the campus.
Key Considerations for Library Access:
- Single Access Point: A single access point to library services can simplify the process for DE students, guiding them directly to literature searches, databases (such as Medline or CINAHL), and full-text articles. Nursing journals and other resources can often be accessed online through the institution’s library portal.
- Convenience vs. Resources: Convenience is often more important to DE students than the depth of resources available at a library (Butler, 1997). Most students require quick access to library materials, with 80% needing resources within one week. Thus, it’s essential for libraries to provide access to digital materials and fast interlibrary loan services to meet these needs.
- Online Guides and Technical Support: Many students are unaware of the library services available to them or lack the skills to use these resources effectively. Libraries should provide technical support, guides, and tutorials on how to navigate databases and access resources online. This can include FAQ pages, email support, and toll-free phone numbers for assistance.
- After-Hours Support: DE students often work on assignments late at night or on weekends, and many need library access during these hours. Libraries should offer after-hours support options, such as automated systems for answering common questions, providing user guides via fax or email, or allowing students to request materials for next-day access.
- Electronic Reserves and Print Materials: Libraries can place assigned readings on electronic reserve, allowing students to access them via the web. However, due to copyright restrictions, much of the library’s materials may still only be available in print. Institutions must have systems in place to deliver print materials to DE students who cannot access campus libraries.
- Improved DE Library Services: Guidelines for supporting DE students have been published by the Association of College and Research Libraries, providing a framework for improving services such as reference support, interlibrary loan, and technical assistance.
Bookstore Access in Nursing Education
DE students need reliable and convenient access to required textbooks and course materials, but they may not have the ability to visit the campus bookstore in person. Institutions must ensure that DE students can obtain their books efficiently.
Key Strategies for Bookstore Access:
- Online Ordering and Shipping: The campus bookstore should offer online ordering for DE students. Lists of required textbooks can be made available on the bookstore’s website or sent to students via email before the semester begins. Books should be shipped directly to students in time for the start of classes.
- Extended Bookstore Hours: Since many DE students may be in different time zones or have conflicting work schedules, the bookstore should offer extended hours prior to the beginning of the semester. This allows students to contact bookstore personnel with questions or for assistance in ordering textbooks.
- Cost Considerations: Institutions should consider providing DE students with options for cost-effective textbook purchases, including used books, rental options, or digital versions of textbooks that are often more affordable than print versions.
Conclusion
Distance education in nursing requires well-structured systems for email setup, learning resource access, library services, and bookstore support to ensure that students can succeed without the benefit of on-campus resources. Institutions must provide DE students with clear guidelines and technical support for setting up email accounts, accessing library databases, and obtaining textbooks. By offering online tools, tutorials, extended hours for support services, and flexible access to learning resources, nursing programs can create an environment where DE students thrive and meet their academic goals.