Page 352 - International Perspectives on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education

Juan M. Leyva

The impact of the activity extended beyond the classroom for numerous
educators. Some respondents indicated that they had adopted a ‘narrative
photographic perspective’ in their daily lives, employing a lens that seeks to
capture meaningful moments and concepts. Others observed an enhanced
tolerance for diversity and a commitment to ongoing enhancement in this
domain. Teachers particularly appreciated the flexibility of the method and
the absence of restrictive guidelines, which permitted a wide range of pos-
sibilities in representation. The educators valued the debates and reflections
generated by the students’ work, especially when these led to challenging
preconceptions and addressed societal issues. However, some challenges
were noted. There was discomfort when presentations failed to generate sub-
stantive discussions, and some difficulty in aligning certain rubric items with
the nature of the activity, particularly for first-year students. As one teacher
expressed, ‘It makes me uncomfortable when one group presents their pho-
tographs, and the others just applaud and nod. I like it when thought-pro-
voking discussions are generated, but not all photographs or themes achieve
this equally. I love learning from the students’.
Overall, narrative photography has been embraced as an innovative and
impactful pedagogical tool, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and deeper
engagement with theoretical concepts among students.

Conclusions
The integration of narrative photography and digital technologies in nursing
education represents a significant advancement in pedagogical approach-
es within health sciences. This innovative methodology has demonstrated
considerable efficacy in enhancing students’ empathetic understanding, re-
flective capabilities, and critical thinking skills. The hybrid implementation,
facilitated by digital platforms, has proven particularly valuable in contem-
porary educational settings, enabling greater flexibility and accessibility. The
process of creating, analysing, and discussing visual narratives encourages
a profound emotional and intellectual connection with patient experiences
and psychosocial aspects of care. However, successful implementation re-
quires careful planning, adequate technological infrastructure, and ongoing
support for both educators and students.
As nursing education evolves, the role of innovative approaches like narrative
photography is likely to grow. Future research should focus on longitudinal
studies to assess long-term impacts on nursing practice and patient out-
comes, and explore integration with emerging technologies. In conclusion,
the hybrid implementation of narrative photography represents a promising

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