The document discusses the implementation of virtual student research conferences in D2L Brightspace, focusing on their benefits for online nursing students who cannot attend traditional conferences. It outlines the design considerations, planning steps, and advantages such as skill-building and increased accessibility, while noting challenges like faculty time investment. The conclusion emphasizes that virtual conferences serve as a viable alternative to face-to-face events for nursing education.

1. Virtual Student Research
Conferences in D2L Brightspace
Nancyruth Leibold, EdD, MSN, RN, PHN, CNE
Department of Nursing, Southwest Minnesota State University
Laura Marie Schwarz, DNP, RN, CNE
School of Nursing, Minnesota State University, Mankato

2. Collegial Collaboration
• Department of Nursing
• Dr. Nancyruth Leibold
• RN to BSN Completion Program
• Online
• School of Nursing
• Dr. Laura M. Schwarz
• Program Coordinator
• RN to BS Completion Program
• Online

3. After participation in this session,
the learner will
•Explain the use of D2L Brightspace as a meeting
place for virtual student research conferences.
•Describe the design and considerations of a
virtual student conference.

4. University Undergraduate
Research Conferences
Undergraduate research conferences are common
events in higher education that allow students to
present their research and evidence-based
projects.
Problem:
However, this is impractical for nursing learners in
an online program to be able to attend.

5. University Undergraduate
Research Conferences
•Solution: Virtual Research Conferences for
Students
Image from Microsoft Clip Art

6. University Undergraduate
Research Conferences
• Pros
• Skill building for students
• Builds technology skills for the real world
• Removes job or other class or geography barriers
• Cons
• Faculty time
• No experience of face to face

7. Have You Ever Attended a Virtual Conference?
Yes
22%
No
78%
598
Respondents
American Nurses Association (2011)

8. Distance Learning
•The Virtual Conference was consistent with
Distance Learning
•Increases interaction
•Increases collaboration
•(Phillips et al., 2010)

9. Online Learning
•Students already familiar with D2L
Brightspace

10. Design Considerations
•Convenience
•Use of Multimodal Writing
•Technology
•Change Theory
•Showcase
•Dissemination

11. Design and Considerations
•Dissemination
•Virtual Research Institute
•Chamberlain et al. (2014)

12. Steps in Planning
•Planning Committee
•Forming
•Tasks
•Faculty input
•Student input
•Communications

13. Steps in Planning
Set Dates Themes
Design
Conference
Hall

14. Other Planning Committee Tasks
Faculty
Call for
Abstracts

15. Other Planning Committee Tasks
Abstract
Submission
Planning
Review of
Abstracts

16. Other Planning Committee Tasks
Notification
to
Submitters
Brochure

17. Virtual Nursing Symposium
•Intended Audience: Students in a RN to BS Nursing
Online Program and the Faculty
•Logo:

18. Virtual Nursing Symposium
•Call for Abstracts

19. Virtual Nursing Symposium
•Implementation

20. Virtual Nursing Symposium
•Evaluation

21. Virtual Mustang Nursing
Conference

22. Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference

23. Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference

24. Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference

25. Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference

26. Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference

27. Virtual Mustang Nursing Conference

28. Conclusion
•Virtual Student Conferences in D2L Brightspace
are an alternative to the traditional face to face
University Research Conference.

29. •Questions?

30. References
• American Nurses Association. (2011). Majority of Respondents Have
Not Attended an Online/Virtual Nursing Conference, According to
Poll. Retrieved from
http://www.nursingworld.org/HomepageCategory/Poll-Results/2011-
PollArchive/March2011-HYSResults.html
• Chamberlain, R. S., Klaassen, Z., Meadows, M. C., Weitzman, S., &
Loukas, M. (2014). St George's University's medical student research
institute: A novel, virtual programme for medical research
collaboration. The West Indian Medical Journal, 63(1), 81.
doi:10.7727/wimj.2013.022

31. References
• Phillips, B, Shaw, R., Sullivan, D. T., & Johnson, C. (2010). Using virtual
environments to enhance nursing distance education. Creative
Nursing,16(3), 132-135.
• Sloan, R. (2012). Poster presentations in the virtual world. The Journal
of Continuing Education in Nursing, 43(11), 485-486.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20121024-24