1. Discussion Boards  

Discussion boards encourage critical engagement with course topics including Learning Styles, Theories, Outcomes, Technologies, and Assessments as well as readings. Readings focus on selected theories and methods of teaching and learning. Each student is expected to contribute one original post responding to the prompt(s) in Canvas as well as a reply to a peer’s post, offering insights or constructive feedback.  

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Rationale: Effective communication is one of the graduate level nursing competencies. This activity promotes finding connections between readings, personal reflection, and encouraged team learning. (AACN 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) 

 

2. Theory of Change Visual: 

 Students in groups will create a visual model for the theory of change that they will use for their final projects.  

• Students can use an evidence-based model that already exists and adapt that existing model or create one from scratch which directly addresses their project topics.  

• Students will produce a written piece (approximately 200-350 words) that provides context for understanding your project, your strategies, and your goals. 

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Rationale: Theory of change visuals can be used as a roadmap for students’ projects including background, implementation, and evaluation. This assignment also forces students to think in the big picture and make an outline that can be impactful, which will help guide them for the final project paper and presentation. (AACN 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 8.1, 8.4, 8.5) 

 

3. Stakeholder Analysis Table:  

Students in groups will fill out an analysis of five stakeholders using a table provided analyzing stakeholder importance and strategies seeking engagement.  

Rationale: To effectively create a QI project, students need to identify, analyze, and categorize stakeholders, their interests, influence, and potential impact, then use this information to develop tailored communication and engagement strategies which will impact funding and implementation of projects. This process will also be used in their final projects and presentations. (AACN 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) 

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4. Case Studies:  

Students will participate in case studies in groups during in person class time to practice problem solving through informatics.  

• As students will be expected to make recommendations and solutions at the end of the quarter in their projects, these exercises will help students practice these skills. 

• Case study topics include EHR, telemedicine, and CDSS. 

• Students will either present in class or be expected to write written reports of their findings 

• Written reports will be submitted by each student for individual feedback  

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Rationale: Students contextualize a specific informatics concept, problem, or solution, highlighting its practical application and real-world implications, thereby demonstrating understanding of informatics principles. (AACN 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 8.1, 8.4, 8.5) 

 

5. Logic Model:  

Students will complete a Wisconsin Logic Model in groups and provide clear statements for each component. This model will form the basis of their projects, and provide a clear outline for the draft of their final paper and a visual for their final presentations 

• Students will participate in small groups to create a Logical Model on an informatics topic for their final projects  

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Rationale: this assignment helps students understand how programs are implemented by providing a visual outline of inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes, promoting an understanding of program theory and evaluation principles (AACN 7.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3) 

 

6. Draft Planning Paper 

During week 5, students will submit a draft of their final paper. As this is the halfway point of the quarter, students should be able to address all the main parts of their papers to get feedback. 

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Rationale: provides the reasoning behind a proposed plan, outlining the problem addressed, the need for the plan, the informatics solution and its potential impact. (AACN 2.5, 8.1, 8.4, 8.5) 

 

7. Final Paper & Presentation 

At the end of the quarter, students in their groups will submit a final paper that integrates all aspects of the course into a finished product.  

• Students will address the background of their problem, significance, the informatics solution, planning steps, implementation, and evaluation.  

• Students will present in their groups a visual of their project and explain each step of the process  

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Rationale: students will demonstrate their learning from the course by explaining why the topic is important and what it contributes, addressing a gap in knowledge, building on existing research, and providing concrete solutions. Presentation of the topic allows students to practice conveying the importance of their projects and prepares them to be effective communicators. (AACN 2.5, 8.1, 8.4, 8.5)