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Chapter 7: Faculty Role in Integrating Virtual Simulations

Additional resources for this chapter

instructor material

DOI:

10.1891/9780826169648.0007

Authors

  • McGonigle, Dee
  • Gordon, Randy M.
  • Meeks, Diana

Abstract

The integration of a virtual learning environment (VLE) for graduate virtual world practicum (VWP) students has been a success based on faculty, mentor, and student feedback. Second Life helped provide students with the opportunity to complete their practicum without any delays, which would have been the case of a lack of qualified mentors or appropriate on-ground practicum placement sites. Student, mentor, and faculty feedback on this option for students completing their practicum has been positive. Mentors working in SL have been instrumental in support of this option for students and dedicated their area through the development of scenarios and other aspects of the VWP component. VWP students enact their future role as nurse executives and experience more than real world practicum (RWP) students. This chapter highlights some aspects of the faculty’s role in the integration of this virtual simulation into a nursing practicum course, specifically in the executive specialty.