NURS 3030: Communication and Information Literacy

Course Description

Students examine communication and information technology in professional nursing. The role of evidence as it informs contemporary nursing practice is explored. Included are concepts and skills for oral and written communication, informatics, and information literacy.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

Determine the nature and extent of information needed.
Use a variety of search strategies to access information.
Evaluate the quality of retrieved information.
Demonstrate oral communication skills.
Apply APA format in writing a formal paper.
Discuss academic honesty in as it applies to written and oral communication.
Discuss the specialty practice of nursing informatics.

Prerequisites

Admission to the BSN program; computer course or validated computer competency.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course. Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

Click here for more information about textbooks for online courses.

Required Equipment

An assignment in this course requires you to record audio and video of yourself. Audio and video quality must be adequate to get your point across, show your interaction with PowerPoints, and display your presentation skills. You will need to have access to the following equipment to complete this course:

Computer microphone
Video camera
A digital camera with video capability will probably not suffice. The assignment stipulates that you must place the camera behind the audience, so the camera should be able to capture details about the presenter and presentation from a distance. The camera must also be capable of recording at least 15 minutes of footage.
DVD burning capabilities
You must mail a DVD of the presentation to the instructor.

It is likely that you will also need this equipment to complete other courses in the Nursing Program at Webster University. Students must confirm they can access this equipment (own/borrow/rent) before the University drop date.

Course Activities

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include readings, presentations, discussions, quizzes, library tutorials, database searches, information literacy exercises, plagiarism paper, oral PowerPoint presentation, Web site evaluation, and/ or an informatics paper. The activities below represent a sampling of potential course activities. However, individual instructors may incorporate other activities such as journals and group work into the course materials.

Readings & Reviews :
Students are expected to read and review all assigned course materials.

Discussions:
Students must participate in all online discussions. There are activities each week of the course. While there is no specific day/time at which you must log in, it is strongly recommend that you log in several times per week to participate. Your participation is graded on both the quantity and quality of your postings. Postings such as "I agree" and "Good answer,", are not acceptable. The quality of postings is as important as the quantity of postings. Course points are given for online participation. Discussion questions are posted weekly and each student is required to follow the guidelines stated in the question.

Writing Assignments:
Throughout this course, you will have several opportunities to demonstrate effective communication through writing. These assignments may include written papers and article summaries. Potential Library tutorials, database searches, information literacy exercises, plagiarism paper, oral PowerPoint presentation, Web site evaluation, informatics paper.

Student Presentations:
Students will be expected to demonstrate expected to demonstrate effective oral communication skills as well as the design and presentation of an effective PowerPoint. The specifics requirements of this actively will be presented to you through your course materials.

Participation:
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student enrolled in the course who fails to participate in class appropriately, e.g., nonparticipation in discussions and/or failure to submit assignments. Specifics participation criteria will be posted in your course materials.

Policy Statements

The course policies follow Webster University policies including online class policies. Non-participation in online discussions and activities will affect your grade. Remember plagiarism concerns are part of this online course and the University's overall academic dishonesty policies. Plagiarism is use of another's idea, opinion, publications, writings, information in one's own publication without proper credit to the original source of the idea, opinion, writing, or information. Please cite whenever appropriate. (see the Undergraduate College Academic Policies and Procedures)

Academic Honesty:
The university is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. Please refer to the Nursing Department’s Academic Honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential disciplinary actions associated with it.

Drops and Withdrawals:
Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this course, the date on which you notify the university of your decision will determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Students may withdraw from courses up to and including the Friday of the sixth week of an eight-week course and the Friday of the twelfth week of a semester course. To withdraw, a student must complete a withdrawal form, which is signed by the advisor. The symbol for course withdrawal (W) is recorded on the student's transcript. Withdrawals after the above dates may occur only under exceptional circumstances, and the withdrawal form must be approved by the instructor, the advisor, department chair and the director of the Academic Advising Center.

Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog university policies on drops and withdrawals to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.

Special Services:
If you are registered as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor at the beginning of the course of the accommodations you will require in this class so that these can be provided. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations please contact the Academic Resource Center.

Disturbances:
Every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption and all students are expected participate in all online course activities. Disruption of the learning process or inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

Note: This syllabus may be revised at any time at the discretion of the instructor and without prior notification or consent of the student.

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