Digital Digest Corner: iPad Pilot Program

New program enhances digital mobile learning for FNP and DNP students.

It is with great excitement that we share the news of our iPad pilot program for students admitted to our online family nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing practice programs beginning in the summer and fall semesters of 2021. Apple iPads have been used in education as a means of facilitating student engagement, individual learning and collaboration. Digital mobile learning using the iPad has many advantages, such as ease of use, quick and convenient access to a variety of no-cost learning resources (e.g., apps), annotation tools and amazing presentation and video production technology. Nurses are already familiar with mobile technology use in their practice environments, making incorporation into their educational program of studies a natural extension. Faculty introduced different low-stakes iPad “challenges” in students’ beginning courses to ease them into using the devices. As students progress through the curriculum, teaching-learning strategies will increasingly include use of the iPad.