NURSES’ EXPERIENCE IN DISTANCE EDUCATION: AN OVERVIEW ON THE DIMENSIONS OF INTERACTION AND AUTONOMY

Abstract

This was a case study with a qualitative approach that aimed to analyze nurses’ experience in the distance education modality focusing on the dimensions of interaction and autonomy. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 nurses in a Higher Education Institution in Minas Gerais, from December 2014 to February 2015. Content Analysis was used as technique of analysis. It was found that interaction was made possible through the components of dialogue and structure. Dialogue took place mainly among students themselves and in the context of socialization and collaborative learning. Regarding structure, the study found the evidence of high structuring and control made possible by the maximization of the technological apparatus. In the dimension of autonomy learning took place through networking and in a collaborative way, enhanced by the following features: time/displacement flexibility; reduced costs; and the decision to search for improvement. This study found possibilities of advancing knowledge in Distance Education, though interaction and autonomy need to be maximized in these experiences.

Keywords

• Distance Education
• Education in nursing
• Information technology
• Permanent education