Assignment 8.1: Course Reflection

Assignment 8.1: Course Reflection

 

I must say CPTR100-08 Introductory Computer Tools for Nurses is indeed an instructive and useful course. It is truly an introduction into the depth and enormity of this subject area. I was totally astounded to the extensive area covered in an introductory course. Topics of the course were:

Ø  Introduction to online learning, learning styles, research skills and academic integrity

Ø  Nursing Informatics

Ø  Introductory Computer Tools for Nurses

Ø  The Computer: Hardware, Software and Communications Networks, the Internet,  Information Systems

Ø  Computers in your Professional Life - Productivity Software

Ø  Electronic Health Record: the New Healthcare Paradigm

Ø  Health Care Information Systems

Ø  Telehealth

Ø  Using Social Networking Tools

Ø  Nursing Informatics: the Future

Being a subject area that was totally new to me there were a lot of areas which captured my interest which I have kept a note of to review and truly internalize. Now that I’m not just skimming and scanning in order to try to meet an assignment deadline more time can be devoted into get a greater understanding and appreciation of these areas. Some of those areas I enjoyed were Forum 0.1 Meeting the facilitator and classmates, Microsoft productivity tools, I particularly enjoyed the introduction to VARK learning system and evaluating web sources, the plagiarism tutorials, nursing informatics.   Nursing informatics I knew nothing of this before starting this course and was astonished as to the magnitude and length of its existence also how many countries already make use of this specialty.

The easiest moment in the course for me was Assignment 4.2 cumulative project – word lab 2, I particularly enjoyed creating that brochure. The most difficult was Forum 3.2 cumulative project - my blog and forum 8.2 final project e-portfolio.

The course I can say did help me in learning the tools mentioned as I’m now more knowledgeable about nursing informatics, I can now identify hardware and software, the different networks and productivity software and tools. The technique to use these tools I would say because it was new to me and because of time constraints the reading material and associated links were often just skimmed and I then frequented Google and YouTube to get the essential understanding in order to make the deadlines of assignments at least the ones which I was able to meet.

I have gained some more skills in the use of the computer compared to when I started and have increased confidence in using information and communication technologies (ITC) however I believe there is so much more to achieve. I would say I have developed and will continue to develop literacies and competencies needed in order to contribute to and effectively participate in the 21st century society and workplace. I have acquire a lot of knowledge which will unquestionably contribute in making informed choices about how, where, what and when to source information which will add to learning.

This introductory course has peaked my interest into specialized study areas related to digital technology. So by the conclusion of this programme I’m confident I would definitely decide on an area of study to pursuit as it relates to digital technology as it relates to nursing.

All things considered I can say with great assurance I have developed a great appreciation of the use of digital technology which is continuously evolving and learning have definitely taken place some of which will be stored in the long term memory and a lot if not reflected upon post the course will be in the short term. Therefore to ensure all the hard work and diligence continues to positively influence and enhance my professional and personal life I propose to definitely continuously review area of this course as I maximize the knowledge and understanding gained because learning is an ongoing process.  

Growth is continuous