Embedding blended learning into the research curriculum in the School of Nursing & Midwifery.

The aim of this initiative was to restructure the delivery and teaching of research in a creative and innovative way to address student feedback and enhance the quality of undergraduate provision within the three year BSc (Hons) nursing programme. To achieve this ambition required a new way of thinking to transform and reinvigorate student and staff perceptions' of research. Existing didactic pedagogic approaches to research teaching utilised a teacher centred focus which did not engage or provide students with ownership of the learning process. To reshape the delivery and teaching of research required staff and students to embrace the implementation of a blended learning programme across the undergraduate programme.

To embed research in the curriculum three integrated Evidenced Based Nursing (EBN) research modules were developed to facilitate a continuous programme of work and foster a research ethos across the BSc programme. To engage students with the EBN modules a variety of teaching approaches were utilised to facilitate maximum participation and interaction. The flipped lecture approach was implemented to provide interaction and discussion in classroom based teaching. Students are given ownership of online learning prior to lectures and tutorials through the development of videos, peer assessed workbooks and discussion forums. The implementation of Mediasite provided flexible, interactive, personalised and engaging teaching and feedback videos for students. Staff development training in Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Mediasite ensured the delivery of high quality teaching and resources. Implementing an innovative, blended learning pedagogic approach to the delivery and teaching of research within the School of Nursing and Midwifery demonstrates the continual strive to produce flexible, interactive and personalised online learning for a digitally literate student body.