An Asynchronous Innovative International Approach to Teaching Transcultural Nursing Online

1. An Asynchronous Innovative International Approach to Teaching Transcultural Nursing Online Karrie Ingalsbe, PhD, RN Lynn Kennell, MS, RN MCN at Illinois State University, Illinois, USA

2. Brief overview of the project: • Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University’s (MCN-ISU)course entitled “Cultural and Spiritual Dimensions of Health Care” • Swedish Polytechnic’s course, in Finland, (SPF) entitled “Ethics and Crosscultural Understanding”

3. MCN Students • Prelicensure students—all are on campus at ISU • In Spring semester, there are 50-70 prelicensure students enrolled. • There are 5-15 RN-BSN students each semester

4. Swedish Polytechnic Students • Consists of both students from the Degree Program in Nursing, which is a multicultural group, and the Swedish Program in Nursing • Usually about 15 participants • Teaching Methods are mainly based on ”Problem Based Learning” • The student has to be an active participant in the course

5. Common threads between2 courses: • Diverse student populations • Use of case studies • “Typical” Finnish family • “Typical” American family • Muslim family • Focus on the application of transcultural theory (specifically, Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality)

6. Preliminary preparation: • Creating and exchanging case studies for Finnish, Muslim, and American cultures • Obtaining list of Swedish Polytechnic students and getting email addresses (asynchronous) • Photographs of American students sent via email to Swedish Polytechnic • Working with MCN’s faculty technical support staff to create a closed chat room (synchronous) • Preparing students for experience

7. Communication between students: • Initial synchronous encounter on Java Website 9/24/02 • Students email each other to arrange times for chat room encounters • Faculty meet online with students and facilitate interactions as needed.

8. Advantages of Working Internationally • Students get reality-based, actual knowledge by interviewing each other through cyberspace • Students have an opportunity to use modern technology to gain knowledge • Students in Finland learn about Finnish health and social welfare by answering questions from the American students

9. American students learn more about the US healthcare system when explaining services to SPF students • American students develop interview skills on-line while completing a holistic Culturalogical Assessment

10. Disadvantages of Working Internationally • Lack of knowledge in working with computer and difficulties in handling problem situations depending on the computer system or network • Anonymity in the interview situation—lack of face-to-face contact • Distance to the informant

11. Student Feedback • Fun! • Interesting, learned a lot, both about America and about working with computer • Difficult when working at the same time, time difference makes it difficult • Difficult when you are not used to working in English or with the computer • A lot of supervision is needed, but it’s fun • Why don’t we have the same course, and why can’t we get into each other’s courses on the net?

12. Completion of Projects • Case Studies • Culturalogical Assessments • Culturally Competent Nursing Care Plans

13. Case Studies: • Students must select 2 cultural case studies • Finnish students assisted Mennonite students in answering the Finnish case study • Mennonite students assisted Finnish students in answering the Mid-western American case study • Interactions were conducted via email • Case study responses were posted on WebCT

14. Culturalogical Assessments: • Several Mennonite students chose to complete this assessment on a Swedish Polytechnic Finland student • The Culturalogical Assessment Form was emailed to a SPF student who was asked to respond to the questions (sent: html) • The same was true for Mennonite students • Students who allowed for follow-up questioning demonstrated a more comprehensive assessment

15. Where do we go from here? • Assess the students’ knowledge in computer-based learning • Plan the timetable, suitable for both partners • Encourage students to begin early to allow for more frequent email interactions & more depth in assignment completion • Create common courses accepted as study achievements at all involved Polytechnics and Universities

16. The Sky’s the Limit!! • Contact us if you have more questions • Be ready for some frustration, but lots of rewards • Know that you are making the world a more peaceable kingdom, one contact at a time!