NCSBN Learning Extension | E-Learning for the Nursing Community

Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Specific Questions

1. What do I get for my course tuition?

With your course tuition you receive all of the great benefits below. Take the Virtual Tour of NCSBN Learning Extension courses for details about the features.

Test Development & Item Writing:

Six weeks of unlimited, 24-hour access to the course gives you flexibility to work at your own pace.
Eight Lessons guide you through the test development and item writing process.
Links To Knowledge connect you to additional online study resources.
Additional Information links give you one-click access to in-depth information.
IQ - Item Quotes at the end of every lesson give you a quick re-cap.
Built-in Glossary helps clarify terms used throughout the course.
Comprehensive Reference Section with online links helps expand your understanding.
Interactive Exercises reinforce learning and concepts.
Interactive Workbook Exercises reinforce learning and concepts to help you write high quality "NCLEX®-style" items.
Free, printable Test Plans, Detailed Test Plans, and Practice Analyses for the NCLEX-RN® Examination and NCLEX-PN® Examination.
17.5 contact hours, awarded upon successful completion of the course to help you build your nursing faculty credentials.

Assessment of Critical Thinking:

Six weeks of unlimited, 24-hour access to the course gives you flexibility to work at your own pace.
Eight Lessons guide you through the test development and higher-level item writing process.
Links To Knowledge connect you to online sources for additional information.
Built-in Glossary to help clarify terms used throughout the course.
Comprehensive Reference section with online links helps expand your understanding.
Interactive Workbook Exercises reinforce learning and concepts.
15.6 contact hours, awarded upon successful completion of the course, help you build your nursing faculty credentials.

2. Will I need the entire six weeks to complete the course?

All of NCSBN’s courses are self-paced, putting you in control. If you have more time available, you can work through the entire course in as little as two weeks. If you are crunched for time, work through the content a section at a time, stretching out the course over your six-week access. You choose what best fits your schedule and learning style!

3. Can I purchase the Test Development & Item Writing or Assessment of Critical Thinking courses in print or CD-ROM format?

NCSBN's Faculty courses are only available online. Using online course materials, instead of printed or CD editions, allows us to constantly update content to reflect changes in nursing practice.

Enjoy having a printed reference? This course includes a downloadable workbook that you can print and save for future reference after your course has ended.

4. Who authored the material for the Faculty courses?

Test Development & Item Writing: The course content was originally developed for live seminars that were conducted by NCSBN from 1995 to 1998. NCSBN launched the online course in June 1999. NCSBN updates the course annually based on user feedback and changes in nursing practice; v.3.1 is the latest version (updated in May 2006). Anne Wendt, RN, PhD, Director, NCLEX Examinations Department, serves as the course faculty. Click here to find out more about the course contributors.
Assessment of Critical Thinking: This course was developed by the NCSBN staff who manage the content and item writing process for the NCLEX-PN® and NCLEX-RN® examinations. We update the course annually based on user feedback and/or changes in nursing practice; v.2.0 is the latest version of the course (updated in May 2005). Lenore Harris, RN, MSN, AOCN®, CNS, NCLEX® Content Associate, authored the content. Click here to find out more about the course contributors.

5. What are the course objectives?

Test Development & Item Writing:

Identify psychometrically sound principles of test construction.
Discuss the NCLEX® test plans and detailed test plans.
Use relevant statistical indices when evaluating test items.
Identify techniques for writing items measuring various cognitive levels.
Use item construction guidelines for writing the stem, correct response, and distracters for multiple-choice questions.
List sources of potential item bias.
Critique multiple-choice items.
Distinguish between multiple-choice items and items that use alternate item formats.

Assessment of Critical Thinking:

Demonstrate understanding of the foundation for writing higher-level items.
Integrate assessment of critical thinking into course design.
Utilize content classification/taxonomy criteria in item design.
Judge components of a well-designed item.
Apply criteria for writing higher-level items.
Increase the ability to critique higher-level items.
Use criteria for converting good items to higher-level items.

6. What topics do the Faculty courses cover?

Test Development & Item Writing:

Measurement Statistics Used to Evaluate Test Questions
Principles of Multiple-Choice Item Writing and Items in Alternative Formats
Basic Techniques for Writing Items that Assess Higher Order Cognitive Processes
Guidelines for Detecting Potential Item Bias
Critique of Sample NCLEX® Examination Questions

Assessment of Critical Thinking:

Historical Perspectives of Assessment
Critical Thinking Behaviors and the Curriculum
Content Classification Categories and the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy
Components of a Well Designed Item
Criteria for Writing Higher-Level Items

7. I see that you have a workbook, Test Plans, and Job Analyses that participants can print for their own use. I don't have access to a printer. Can you send these materials to me?

After you register, you can email a request to campusadmin@ncsbn.org and we will be happy to send you the course workbook. However, the Test Plans and Job Analyses are only available for online viewing and printing. You can purchase the publications in hardcopy form at www.ncsbn.org.

8. Will I meet other nursing educators online?

The course conference rooms are a great place to interact with other nursing educators. You can submit your revised items and receive feedback from fellow faculty members, or learn the latest information about the NCLEX examination.

9. Can I interact with the course faculty?

You can correspond with faculty members via email. Your course faculty member will be happy to answer your questions, give feedback and share the latest information about the NCLEX® examination.

10. Will I receive continuing education credits?

Absolutely! After you complete the course, a course certificate will become available in your virtual campus to document the continuing education credits you earned. Completing the Test Development & Item Writing course gives you 17.5 contact hours and completing the Assessment of Critical Thinking course gives you 15.6 contact hours.

Questions Regarding Registration

1. How will NCSBN use the personal information I enter?

NCSBN uses any personal information that you enter (with the exception of your credit card information) strictly for statistical purposes and recording your earned credits. Review our Privacy Policy for more details.

2. Can other people see my credit card number when I use it in your system?

Your security is of the utmost importance to NCSBN. As long as your computer supports a secure connection, your credit card information and other sensitive information cannot be viewed by unauthorized people.

How do I register and pay for the course?

Online registration is easy, and you can register anytime, day or night by going to: http://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/olenet/student/. For detailed instructions, view the help page.

Can I share my password with others?

Your username and password not only give you access to the course materials, but also to your unique personalized study plan. Sharing your password with others is a violation of your user agreement

I am purchasing courses for multiple people and the organization is paying, how do I do that?

If you are interested in purchasing multiple courses, you can do so online with a credit card. Click here for specific instructions on “institutional/multi-user purchases”.

Questions Regarding Technology

What are the basic requirements for accessing the course?

To access the course you will need a conncetion to the Internet, a PC, the Internet Explorer Browser, the ability to disable pop-up blockers on your browser, the Adobe Flash player and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

My Browser won’t allow me to access my course!

The OLE system requires that you use Internet Explorer on a PC to access and purchase courses. If you are currently using another browser and have questions about how to locate Internet Explorer, please contact technical support (see information below in the section called "Customer Service & Technical Support").

Where can I get technical assistance regarding the course?

Technical Support is available 24/7 by email at ncsbn@globalmentoring.com or or by live chat.

Questions about NCSBN Learning Extension, online courses or other products should be directed to Customer Service: elearning@ncsbn.org. Questions about NCSBN Learning Extension, online courses or other products should be directed to Customer Service: elearning@ncsbn.org.

What is the Adobe Flash Player?

NCSBN Learning Extension uses several plug-ins for interactive features:

Adobe Acrobat Reader: Download at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Adobe Flash Player: Download at: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
Windows Media Player: Download at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/AllDownloads.aspx?displang=en&qstechnology=

General Questions

What is NCSBN Learning Extension?

NCSBN Learning Extension provides quality continuing education courses for students, practicing nurses and nursing educators. Supported by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), in partnership with VTN Technologies, NCSBN Learning Extension has helped thousands of nurses build their credentials in a fun and interactive format. For more information, visit the About Us page.

Who is NCSBN?

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization comprised of the boards of nursing in the 50 states. We also serve the District of Columbia, and four United States territories--American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

NCSBN’s mission has always been to protect the health and welfare of the public. They have taken the lead in nursing regulation by helping Member Boards across the country to promote safe and effective nursing practice.

For more information about the NCSBN’s programs and services, visit NCSBN's Web site at www.ncsbn.org.

Does NCSBN Learning Extension offer any other courses tailored for nurses?

NCSBN Learning Extension is a great way for nurses to continue their education online, and offers an array of courses geared specifically toward nursing professionals, students and educators. Whether you are looking for a course about a specific aspect of nursing, or need help to study for your NCLEX-PN or RN examination, NCSBN offers one of the best nursing educational resources available. If you would like to see a complete list of NCSBN’s courses and other products and services, visit the Resources section of this Web site.