Implications of computer networking and the Internet for nurse education

This paper sets out the history of computer networking and its use in nursing and health care education, and places this in its wider historical and social context. The increasing availability and use of computer networks and the Internet are producing a changing climate in education as well as in health care. Moves away from traditional face-to-face teaching with a campus institution to widely distributed interactive multimedia learning will affect the roles of students and teachers. The use of electronic mail, mailing lists and the World Wide Web are specifically considered, along with changes to library and information management skills, research methods, journal publication and the like. Issues about the quality, as well as quantity, of information available, are considered. As more and more organizations and institutions begin to use electronic communication methods, it becomes an increasingly important part of the curriculum at all levels, and may lead to fundamental changes in geographical and professional boundaries. A glossary of terms is provided for those not familiar with the technology, along with the contact details for mailing lists and World Wide Web pages mentioned.