Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:
Virtual education should be designed around learner access and achievement of educational objectives, not around the quantity of technological features. The NPD practitioner should evaluate accessibility, usability, connectivity, technical support, learner familiarity, interactivity, security, and whether the technology can support required evaluation methods.
For example, learners may work at locations with different network capabilities or may need access to headsets, webcams, or organization-approved devices. Participants should receive clear instructions and technical support when needed. If interaction is required to meet learning objectives, the practitioner should select tools that support discussion, breakout activities, polling, simulation, or other appropriate methods.
Adding videos or animations does not inherently improve learning and may create unnecessary cognitive or technical burden. Similarly, eliminating instructor interaction simply because a course is virtual may undermine learning when dialogue and feedback are important.
Technology should serve the educational strategy rather than dictate it. The ANCC NPD-BC blueprint specifically includes virtual meetings, information technology systems, learning technology principles, computer-based learning, virtual reality, and virtual education. NPD practitioners should therefore evaluate technology according to its ability to support equitable, effective, secure, and measurable learning.