Use of Technology in Enhancing Learning Among Nurses in Saudi Arabia; a Systematic Review

Abstract

The landscape of teaching and learning, particularly in the realm of technology-supported education, is being transformed by the ongoing presence of portable digital assistant devices and other technological tools. Such technologies have become an integral aspect of learning these days. The use of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, cloud computing, and social media through platforms such as Twitter, Dropbox, Google Apps, and YouTube has become the norm in modern education and has greatly enhanced the quality of higher nursing education. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of technology in nursing education in Saudi Arabia. The study used a systematic review methodology to extract relevant studies from databases and reference lists of related literature reviews. Two independent reviewers screened the title, abstract, and full texts based on predefined eligibility criteria. The review identified four themes from the data retrieved from 15 published articles. The themes include attitude towards e-learning, challenges and quality related to e-learning, social media and smart phones usage, virtual reality and simulation experience. Mixed attitudes have been identified among the participants of the selected studies. Various challenges linked with e-learning, social media usage, smart phones, and simulation have been identified inclusive of technical issues, lack of awareness, lack of training, etc. The findings have also stated that awareness level should be increased related to e-learning for better outcomes in Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest that technology has the potential to improve learning outcomes for nurses, including those involved in research. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that both educators and students receive adequate training on how to effectively use the upcoming technology in Saudi Arabia.