Evidence is Good for Your Practice using Technology: Enhancing engagement of healthcare professionals in online education

E-learning has become routine in delivery of many professional courses. For the past ten years the School of Nursing at Ulster has used Internet technology to assist in the delivery of pre- and post-qualification courses in evidence-based practice. In 2009 we set out to enhance learner engagement through three devices: personal text messaging, Confluence WIKI, and the exploitation of relevant Reusable Learning Objects. It was intended that these devices will result in closer linkage between the academic and professional learning environments and enhance the sense of the online environment as a supportive learning community for healthcare professionals. We conclude that such devices are potential tools for enhanced delivery of e learning for evidence-informed practice.