NURS FPX 6109 Assessment 3 Educational Technologies Comparison NURS-FPX 6109 Integrating Technology into Nursing Education

 

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Part 1

The integration of technology into the field of education has brought about a shift in the way we learn and teach. One notable innovation is the introduction of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) which have greatly impacted nursing education. These platforms have completely transformed how nursing students receive and manage their education offering an interactive learning experience. In this assessment, we will analyze two used LMSs, Canvas and Blackboard. To evaluate their features, benefits, and capabilities. Our ultimate goal is to determine which system would be most suitable, for teaching and learning scenarios in nursing education.

Description of Technology

In the field of nursing education an LMS refers to a software application that educators use to create, manage and deliver courses and programs to students. It plays a role in handling records, administration courses, tracking student progress, and sharing learning materials. These systems also often include features for collaboration. Allow educators to develop and integrate course materials, define learning objectives, align content with assessment, and monitor student advancement (Hermosisima et al., 2023).

The two specific LMS platforms I will be examining are Canvas and Blackboard. Canvas is an LMS that supports teaching and learning through its reliable, customizable, adaptable and mobile-friendly platform. It’s designed to allow institutions to build a digital learning environment that meets the unique challenges and requirements faced in their context. Whereas, Blackboard is an established player in the LMS market and offers a suite of education tools for course management, a virtual learning environment, and an array of services like gradebooks, mass notification services, and software for plagiarism detection (Liu & Yu, 2022).

Comparison of Features, Benefits, and Capabilities

Feature, Capability, and Benefit	Version 1 (CANVAS):	Version 2 (BLACKBOARD):
User Interface	Canvas is known for its clean, intuitive, and modern user interface (UI). The dashboard and course navigation are highly praised for being user-friendly and straightforward, even for those with minimal tech experience.	Blackboard’s UI is robust and functional but has a steeper learning curve. It may require more familiarization time for those new to the system.
Customization	Canvas offers a high level of customization, allowing educators to modify course designs according to their preferences or institutional needs. Also, provides learners the flexibility to adjust their learning environments.	Blackboard allows for customization, but it’s not as flexible or comprehensive as Canvas. The ability to personalize is present, but the options might be more limited.
Mobile Access	Canvas has a well-designed mobile app that is comprehensive and mirrors much of the web platform’s functionality. This gives students and teachers a seamless experience across devices.	Blackboard offers a functional mobile app, but it has fewer features compared to its web interface or the Canvas mobile app.
Integration with Third-Party Apps	Canvas excels with extensive integration options with third-party apps, enriching its functionality and providing opportunities for a more tailored learning environment.	Blackboard also offers integration with third-party apps, the number of integrations is not as extensive as Canvas.
Learning Analytics	Canvas provides comprehensive analytics tools that allow educators to track student progress and engagement. This feature can inform instructional decisions and help identify students who might be struggling.	Blackboard also offers analytics capabilities, but they might not be as extensive or user-friendly as Canvas’s analytics tools.