The Effects of Authentic Learning on Learning Outcomes of Nursing Students in a Pediatric and Adolescent Nursing Practicu at, Vongchavalitkul University

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design to examine the level of course-level learning outcomes among nursing students before and after implementing authentic learning in the Pediatric and Adolescent Nursing Practicum course. The study also aimed to compare students’ learning outcomes (LOs) prior to and following the intervention. The conceptual framework was based on Newman et al.'s Authentic Learning Model. The sample consisted of 125 third-year undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Pediatric and Adolescent Nursing Practicum course during the 2024 academic year at the Faculty of Nursing of Vongchavalitkul University. The research instruments included the teaching and learning processes and activities for nursing practice training in real-world situations, based on the authentic learning approach and the LO assessment instrument for the Pediatric and Adolescent Nursing Practicum course, which was comprised of eight Los and was developed according to outcome-based education principles. The Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) index was 0.83. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, yielding a reliability value of 0.91. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the overall mean scores of the course-level learning outcomes. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-intervention scores.

The results revealed that, prior to the implementation of authentic learning, the students’ overall mean scores for course-level learning outcomes were at a high level. After the intervention, the overall mean scores increased to a very high level. The comparison between pre- and post-intervention scores showed a statistically significant improvement in students' learning outcomes at the p < .05 level. These findings indicate that the authentic learning approach can serve as an effective instructional strategy to enhance course-level learning outcomes in nursing practicum settings, particularly in pediatric and adolescent nursing education.