Transmedia Storytelling to understand infectious diseases
General description of the project
This curriculum integration project centers on infectious diseases, providing a transmedia storytelling platform for medical students. The initiative is designed as a capstone experience for students in microbiology and immunology course, with a primary goal of fostering a comprehensive understanding of infectious diseases and strengthening clinical reasoning skills. Over the past three years, students have engaged in creating patient-centered stories across diverse digital platforms and formats, utilizing contemporary technologies.
The storytelling aspect of the project requires students to construct narratives that depict the complexities of infectious diseases, encompassing aspects such as transmission, pathogenesis, and public health implications. Given the dynamic nature of infectious diseases, students are encouraged to explore current and relevant scenarios, enabling them to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
As part of the feedback and collaborative learning component, students are tasked with providing constructive critiques of their peers’ work, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment. The transmedia approach allows students to employ various media forms, including written narratives, audiovisual elements, and interactive presentations, enhancing the richness and depth of their storytelling.
This project serves as an innovative and immersive way to integrate infectious disease education into the doctor of chiropractic curriculum, combining technology, storytelling, and practical knowledge application to prepare students for the challenges they may face in the field of infectious diseases.
Technologies
The technology in this infectious disease curriculum integration project plays a crucial role in providing a dynamic and engaging learning experience for medical students. Students leverage contemporary technologies to create patient-centered stories that explore the intricacies of infectious diseases. The utilization of diverse digital platforms and formats enhances the storytelling process and allows for a more immersive educational experience.
Digital Platforms and Formats: Students have the flexibility to choose from various digital platforms, such as online blogs, multimedia presentations, video animations, and other interactive formats. This ensures that the storytelling is not confined to a single medium, promoting creativity and adaptability.
Interactive Presentations: The incorporation of interactive elements in presentations enhances student engagement. This may involve the use of interactive charts, simulations, or multimedia components that allow students to dynamically illustrate concepts related to transmission, pathogenesis, and public health implications of infectious diseases.
Real-world Scenarios: The emphasis on current and relevant scenarios encourages students to stay informed about ongoing infectious disease issues. They use technology to research and incorporate real-world data, staying connected to the evolving nature of infectious diseases and public health responses.
Peer Feedback Platforms: The collaborative learning component is facilitated through technology-enabled peer feedback platforms. Students use digital tools to provide constructive critiques of their peers’ work, fostering a supportive online environment for learning and improvement.
Multimedia Storytelling Tools: Students employ multimedia storytelling tools to enhance the depth of their narratives. This may involve video editing software, graphic design tools, and other applications that enable them to craft compelling and informative stories about infectious diseases.
Online Collaboration Tools: Given the nature of collaborative learning, students likely use online collaboration tools such as virtual meeting platforms, shared document editing, or discussion forums to interact with peers, exchange ideas, and collectively enhance their understanding of infectious diseases.
In summary, the integration of technology in this project not only supports the creation of compelling and informative narratives about infectious diseases but also provides students with valuable skills in using diverse digital tools—a proficiency that is increasingly important in modern healthcare and research environments.
Explain project results
Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: If the project incorporated patient-centered stories or scenarios related to health issues that are prevalent or significant in Hispanic communities, it could enhance cultural sensitivity among students. This inclusivity in content would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare challenges faced by Hispanic populations.
Language Accessibility: If the project materials, including narratives and multimedia presentations, were made available in both English and Spanish, it would cater to the linguistic diversity within Hispanic communities. This bilingual approach could facilitate better understanding and engagement among students with a Hispanic focus.
Representation in Storytelling: Ensuring that the patient-centered stories created by students reflect the diversity within Hispanic communities would be crucial. This representation could involve considering various cultural perspectives, socio-economic factors, and healthcare practices that are relevant to Hispanic populations.
Community Engagement: If the project involved collaboration with local Hispanic communities or organizations, it could strengthen ties between the institution and the Hispanic community. Engaging community members in discussions, feedback sessions, or even as collaborators in the storytelling process would contribute to a more community-centric approach.
Addressing Health Disparities: If the project specifically addressed health disparities prevalent in Hispanic populations, it would align with broader public health goals. The outcomes of the project, such as narratives or recommendations, could potentially contribute to discussions on reducing healthcare inequalities within the Hispanic community.
Promoting Diversity in Healthcare Narratives: By encouraging students to explore a wide range of infectious disease scenarios that are not only geographically diverse but also culturally relevant, the project could contribute to breaking stereotypes and broadening the narrative around healthcare in Hispanic communities.
Feedback and Adaptation: If there were mechanisms in place to gather feedback specifically from students with a Hispanic focus, the project could adapt and evolve to better meet their educational needs. This iterative process would contribute to a more tailored and effective learning experience.
Why it should be considered best practice?
Comprehensive Learning Experience:
The project offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience by combining various media forms, including written narratives, audiovisual elements, and interactive presentations. This multifaceted approach caters to diverse learning styles, ensuring a well-rounded education for students.
Real-World Relevance:
By encouraging students to explore current and relevant scenarios related to infectious diseases, the project ensures that learning is directly applicable to real-world situations. This emphasis on practical knowledge application prepares students for the dynamic challenges they may face in the field.
Enhanced Clinical Reasoning Skills:
The focus on constructing patient-centered stories requires students to delve into the complexities of infectious diseases, including aspects such as transmission, pathogenesis, and public health implications. This process strengthens students’ clinical reasoning skills and their ability to critically analyze and communicate complex medical information.
Interactive and Collaborative Learning:
The feedback and collaborative learning component, where students provide constructive critiques of their peers’ work, fosters an interactive and supportive learning environment. This peer-to-peer engagement encourages students to learn from each other, promoting teamwork and communication skills.
Technology Integration:
The project effectively integrates contemporary technologies to create digital narratives, reflecting the increasing role of technology in healthcare. This prepares students for the digital landscape of modern healthcare practices, aligning the curriculum with current industry trends.
Adaptability and Flexibility:
The project’s adaptability to diverse learning styles and the dynamic nature of infectious diseases showcases its flexibility. This adaptability is crucial for accommodating the evolving landscape of healthcare education and ensures relevance across various educational settings.
Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity:
If the project incorporates a focus on cultural sensitivity, including diverse perspectives on infectious diseases, it contributes to a more inclusive learning environment. This aspect is particularly important for addressing healthcare disparities and preparing students to work in diverse communities.
Community Engagement and Partnerships:
Collaborative efforts with local communities enhance the project’s impact, fostering connections between the institution and the broader community. Establishing partnerships with community organizations and leaders contributes to the project’s success and aligns with principles of community-based education.
Promoting Diversity in Healthcare Narratives:
By encouraging students to explore a wide range of infectious disease scenarios, the project contributes to breaking stereotypes and promoting diversity in healthcare narratives. This is essential for preparing healthcare professionals who can navigate the complexities of diverse patient populations.
Evidence of Success:
The project’s success is evident through the submission of more than 300 innovative proposals, including clinical cases, vignettes, media stories, videos, and animations. This track record of success provides tangible evidence of the project’s effectiveness in achieving its educational goals.
Given these strengths, the project stands as a model for effective curriculum design, leveraging technology, storytelling, and collaborative learning to prepare future healthcare professionals for the challenges of infectious diseases. Replicating this best practice can positively impact medical education across diverse institutions.
Highlights of your proposed presentation
Presentation Highlights:
Project Overview:
Provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the curriculum integration project focused on infectious diseases.
Highlight the project’s objectives, scope, and its significance in medical education.
Transmedia Storytelling in Healthcare Education:
Explore the concept of transmedia storytelling and its application in the context of healthcare education.
Discuss the rationale behind incorporating diverse media forms and technologies into the curriculum.
Learning Outcomes and Success Stories:
Showcase specific learning outcomes achieved by students through the project.
Share success stories, such as outstanding narratives, impactful presentations, and innovations resulting from the students’ work.
Real-World Relevance:
Emphasize how the project bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world scenarios in infectious diseases.
Provide examples of how students’ narratives have demonstrated practical applications in clinical settings.
Collaborative Learning and Peer Feedback:
Discuss the importance of collaborative learning and the role of peer feedback in enhancing the educational experience.
Share insights into how students’ interactions and critiques contribute to a dynamic and supportive learning environment.
Technology Integration and Digital Competence:
Explore the technologies used in the project and their effectiveness in achieving performance goals.
Discuss how the project enhances students’ digital competence and prepares them for the technological landscape of modern healthcare.
Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity:
Address the project’s approach to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, considering diverse perspectives on infectious diseases.
Highlight any specific efforts made to incorporate diverse cultural narratives into the storytelling aspect.
Community Engagement and Partnerships:
Discuss the role of community engagement and partnerships in enhancing the project’s impact.
Share examples of successful collaborations with local communities and organizations.
Lessons Learned:
Reflect on key lessons learned throughout the project’s implementation.
Discuss challenges encountered and strategies employed to overcome them.
Best Practices for Replication:
Provide a set of best practices for institutions interested in replicating a similar curriculum integration project.
Share insights on adaptability, flexibility, and scalability for diverse educational settings.
Future Directions and Innovation:
Discuss potential future directions for the project, including innovations or adaptations based on evolving educational and healthcare landscapes.
Invite discussions on how the project can continue to evolve and meet the needs of future medical students.
Lessons Learned:
Flexibility and Adaptability:
The importance of designing projects that are flexible and adaptable to diverse learning styles and cultural backgrounds.
Technology Integration Challenges:
Challenges faced in integrating technology effectively and strategies to overcome potential barriers.
Community Collaboration Insights:
The value of community collaboration in enriching the learning experience and how to establish meaningful partnerships.
Cultural Sensitivity Considerations:
Considerations for ensuring cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in healthcare education.
Feedback and Assessment Strategies:
Insights into effective feedback and assessment strategies for transmedia storytelling projects.
Impact on Students’ Clinical Reasoning:
Observations on how the project has positively impacted students’ clinical reasoning skills and critical thinking.
Student Engagement and Motivation:
Strategies for maintaining high levels of student engagement and motivation throughout the project.
Scaling for Replication:
Considerations and recommendations for scaling the project for replication in different educational contexts.
Continuous Improvement Practices:
Strategies for implementing continuous improvement practices, including regular assessments and feedback loops.
Promoting Diversity in Narratives:
Lessons on how to encourage students to explore a wide range of scenarios, promoting diversity in healthcare narratives.
This presentation aims to provide a thorough understanding of the project, offer valuable insights into its implementation, and inspire other institutions to adopt similar innovative approaches to medical education.
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate submitted proposals based on the following criteria. Each area will be rated on a scale from 1 to 7 (1= non-satisfactory; 7 =outstanding), for a maximum of 63 points.