The development and evaluation of the use of a virtual learning environment (Blackboard 5) to support the learning of pre-qualifying nursing students undertaking a human anatomy and physiology module.

Students commence nurse education with varying levels of understanding of human anatomy and physiology due to a wide range of previous exposure to the topic. All students, however, are required to attain a broad knowledge of this topic prior to qualification. This paper describes the use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Blackboard 5, and the associated development of appropriate resources aimed at supporting nursing students undertaking a human anatomy and physiology module at Higher Education Level 1.

Care and treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983.

The provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (for England and Wales) are under review, with a draft bill now published, paving the way for a new act. The bill proposes a much simpler three-step process to replace the current orders for detention and/or treatment, which are discussed here to familiarize nurses with what takes place now. Society has demanded in recent years that changes in society should be reflected in mental health legislation although, to date, there have been many critics of the draft bill's proposals.

Evaluating the use of streaming video to support student learning in a first-year life sciences course for student nurses.

Streaming video was used to support the learning of first year student nurses on a Life Sciences module, as one of many innovations designed to increase the range of resources and support available to students. This paper describes the background to this innovation, the procedures adopted and the results of extensive evaluation. The use of streaming video was evaluated in three applications in the module.