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Research

Can Experiential Learning Go Virtual? Lessons Learned From Canadian Nursing Education During the Pandemic

Experiential learning (EL)—or learning by doing—is an essential component of many postsecondary education (PSE) programs. This type of training lets people develop hands-on skills and apply what they’ve learned in class to real-life situations.

While EL is typically done in person, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many postsecondary programs to go partially or fully virtual. This shift provided a unique opportunity to explore what happens when EL is forced online and how lessons learned during the pandemic can improve experiential programming moving forward.

Key findings

Online EL permits a more inclusive and accessible approach to skills training, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to access training in a way that best suits their needs.

Online training provided during the pandemic did not adequately provide nursing students with the clinical skills needed for practice. Getting hands-on experience remains critical.

Online skills training is here to stay. It can be a valuable
addition to EL programs when used strategically to foster
innovative, engaging, and accessible learning experiences.

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