“The use of technology plays an important role in the facilitation of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Cloud computing, which encompasses applications such as YouTube, Google Apps, and Dropbox, have become the reality of contemporary teaching and learning, including nursing education.

“With that in mind and owing to the digital native generation of higher education students, the effects of Covid-19, and the imminent fourth industrial revolution, it is clear that using technology for teaching and learning is the future of higher education, and nursing education in particular.”

This is according to a study done by Gopolang Gause, a simulation manager at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing.

His master’s degree study, supervised by Isaac Mokgaola and Prof Mahlasela Rakhudu, looked at the readiness of the multi-campus North West College of Nursing to use technology in teaching and learning.

Gopolang found that the college is not ready to use technology for teaching and learning, and recommends that the college should keep up with contemporary trends in the landscape of nursing education, including the use of information technology for teaching and learning.

“This can be achieved if the heads of the college campuses in Mahikeng and Klerksdorp engage with the Department of Health to obtain the necessary IT facilities.”

He also recommends that the college and the Department of Health collaborate to ensure the availability of effective policies on the use of technology at nursing colleges in general.

“These policies will allow the use of technological devices for learning purposes in the clinical environments, which will be of great assistance to nursing students,” he adds.