About NSG/NSGL 489

NSG/NSGL 489 is a two-course sequence focused on chronic illness or complex health needs care.

The didactic course, NSG 489, is an online, distance learning activity which requires students to use a computer with a world wide web browser. Five weeks of the sixteen week spring semester are scheduled for classroom activities; the majority of the course consists of online learning experiences.

The clinical practicum course, NSGL 489, is based in the community. Students will visit selected families at home throughout the semester. Course faculty will provide clinical teaching by responding to weekly home visit journals that students write and submit to the course faculty via the online course.

Students enrolled in the course maintain contact with the instructor via online course activities and email. Students can send questions, requests, comments, or other communications, via email to the instructor at any time. The instructor usually will respond within 24 hours. Students will submit all assignments to the instructor via the course online activities (or email, in some cases). Specific instructions for using the online course materials will be provided in the first classroom session scheduled for January 11, 1999.

Philosophy:

Students taking these courses will need to exercise self-discipline in keeping up with assignments. The courses are structured so that certain events occur within a specified timeframe; yet, there is a degree of latitude for self-pacing. These upper division courses are aimed at the senior performance level. Therefore, assignments should demonstrate sythesis of concepts covered in the courses and evidence of exercising critical thinking skills. Reviewing assignments and/or study questions before reading required material will help to focus the learning experience. Anticipate that computer, or other, equipment supporting the course may not always be operational. For that reason, give yourself time to develop and polish your thoughts rather than attempting to submit assignments at the last minute.
Students who put off working through the course requirements until the last minute may not attain a successful outcome! It will be necessary to spend several hours weekly working with course materials; i.e., at least as much time altogether as for a traditional course, plus study time. Deadlines will be strictly kept, so students should anticipate submitting assignments in sufficient time for them to arrive safely. Unless there are simultaneous technical problems with ALL available equipment, there will be no excuses from requirements.

Computer equipment:

It is essential that students registering for NSG/NSGL 489 have access to a computer which runs Windows 95 (or Windows 98), either Netscape version 4.x or Internet Explorer version 4.x (world wide web browsers), and email.

Students taking this course sequence should have the following computer-related skills at a minimum:





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