The document discusses the use of Blackboard Collaborate in an accelerated hybrid LPN-RN program at Gaston College. It describes challenges with using Collaborate in earlier classes where weaker students did not actively participate. Later classes structured Collaborate sessions around NCLEX-style questions where all students had to answer and discuss rationales, which was more effective. Examples of nursing questions and discussions are provided. Data shows retention rates increased from 72% to 83% after implementing the changes to Collaborate sessions. The instructor perspective is that Collaborate allows observing student thinking and collaboration in real-time.

1. www.gaston.edu
Use of Bb
Collaborate in an
Accelerated Hybrid
LPN-RN Program
Our experiences . . .

2. www.gaston.edu
Background
• LPN – RN option
• Hybrid
• 3 semesters
• ACCELERATED
• Most students also work

3. www.gaston.edu
Class of 2013
• Started using Bb Collaborate in
Fall 2012
• Format
– study guide given then reviewed
on Collaborate
– did not work
• strong students did the work
• weaker students “sponged”

4. www.gaston.edu
Class of 2014
• Collaborate optional
• More structured
• NCLEX – type questions
• Students all “click in” to answer
• Students allowed to collaborate on answers
• Answer and rationale given and discussed
• Test-taking “tips” also given and discussed

5. www.gaston.edu

6. Question 3
• The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is bathing the
client diagnosed with ARDS. The bed is in a high
position with the opposite side rail in the low position.
Which action should the nurse implement?
a) Demonstrate the correct technique for giving a bath.
b) Encourage the UAP to put the bed in the lowest
position.
c) Instruct the UAP to get another person to help with the
bath.
d) Provide praise for performing the bath safely for the
client and UAP.

7. Question 3 answer
a) Demonstrate the correct technique for giving a bath.
Rationale - The opposite side rail should be elevated so the
client will not fall out of the bed. Safety is priority, the
nurse should demonstrate the proper way to bathe a client
in bed.
Test-taking tip - Although the test taker should be
concerned with the disease process, many times the
answer is based on basic nursing skills not requiring a
knowledge of the client’s disease process.

8. Question 6
• The client diagnosed with ARDS is in respiratory distress
and the ventilator is malfunctioning. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
a) Notify the respiratory therapist immediately.
b) Ventilate with a manual resuscitation bag (ambu).
c) Request STAT arterial blood gases.
d) Auscultate the client’s lung sounds.

9. Question 6 answer
b) Ventilate with a manual
resuscitation bag
(ambu).
Rationale - If the ventilator
system malfunctions, the
nurse must ventilate the
client with a manual
resuscitation bag (ambu
bag) until the problem is
resolved.

10. www.gaston.edu
Students collaborating

11. www.gaston.edu
Is it helping students?
Class of NUR 214 NUR 221
# start #progressed % # start #progressed %
2013
(Critical
Thinking
composite
– 69.4)
32 25 78 25/26
(1 re-admit)
23/24 92/92
Overall
retention
72%
2014
(Critical
Thinking
composite
– 72)
29 24 83 24/25
(1 re-admit)
24 100
Overall
retention
83%

12. www.gaston.edu
From the instructor
perspective . . .
• Allows you to “watch”
or hear your students
thinking and
collaborating
• Fun to see the “light
bulbs” go off
• Allows interaction as a
whole class

13. Questions/Comments