(26) Effectiveness of Augmented Reality Technology in Nursing Pre-learning Programs

Abstract:

Background: Technology-based education will bring innovation that expands and evolves not only in the school context but also in daily life. Augmented reality (AR)-based education can provide learners with repeat learning opportunities via mobile phones while being cost-effective. This study aimed to develop a nursing pre-learning program utilizing AR technology and to evaluate its usability.

Methods: The nursing skills we developed include subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections and blood transfusions. The project was conducted with 15 students in the nursing department at C University in Korea. The study used the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model to develop and evaluate the program, analysis of learners’ needs, writing script, searching a 3D model and a picture for Android implementation, application, and evaluation. For usability evaluation, cognitive load measurement (Ryu, 2009) and a learning satisfaction measurement were used.

Results: Of the 18 participants in the project, 86.7% had no experience in virtual reality or AR education. The mean cognitive load score after using the program was 107.3 (SD=15.0), with the scores ranging from 20 to 140. The mean scores of the cognitive load subdomain for mental effort, self-evaluation, task difficulty, material design, and physical effort were 23.7, 22.9, 22.0, 19.7, and 19.0, respectively. Learning satisfaction was high (4.2 out of 5).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that using AR technology in nursing programs can improve the learning experience of nursing students. Further research should be conducted on the effectiveness of AR simulation education as a strategy for future clinical practicum.