Using films to teach

Disciplines ranging from psychology and social work to health sciences, history, and literature use popular film as a narrative pedagogical process to complement traditional coursework. An evidence-based interpretive educational method can create an insightful learning environment to promote compassionate are founded on judgment and reflection. In film, art imitates life, and movies are an engaging, entertaining, effective form of artistic expression that can educate nursing students. Films often distill reality, relying on genre characters within condensed circumstances, and they portray scenarios that offer a more insightful realism than exists in the “real world”

Welcome to this blog that links various nursing concepts to popular film. For example, someone interested in a movie about leadership and management will be directed to a list of films such as "Elizabeth", starring Cate Blanchett, or "Gung Ho", starring Micheal Keaton. There will be a brief description of the film, and a list of teaching tips such as critical thinking questions to ask students to consider while viewing these films, then use them for large group discussion, pairs, small groups, or individual journaling and reflection.

I will update this blog as new films open or as I become aware of other films that will enhance nursing education. You will also find links to websites in the public domain that share information about each movie.


The author is a nursing instructor at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, a lifelong film enthusiast, and helped create and direct a cinema guild in her community.


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tips for using movies to teach nursing

  • Use a discussion guide to encourage critical thinking before, during, and after the film.  For example, if using the film "John Q" to teach about vulnerable populations and economic influences on health care policy, have a handout such as: 
    • As you view the film, think of the following questions:
      ·        How does this film illustrates the erosion of employment-based health care coverage?
      ·        How does this film address disparities in health care?
      ·        Are people without insurance routinely denied care?
      ·        Is health care a right?
      What implications does this have for the need for national health insurance?
      ·        How do we manage our resources?
      ·        How can society provide adequate health care for all?
      ·        What is the “take away” from this film?
       
  • Assign students to write a narrative nursing note about one of the scenarios or a nursing diagnosis for a character.
  • Assign a one page paper that links a nursing concept to the movie, with a justification for doing so.
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Relevance to nursing: leadership and management styles---here is a list of films that educators can use to highlight various approaches to leadership and management, and apply these to nursing concepts.

Elizabeth  (1998) R 124 min 

A film of the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.  As the character evolves, she changes her management style and instructors can help students understand the advantages and limitations of these approaches to leadership, which are universal.  Some graphic violence related to torture scenes---this is, after all, the Elizabethan era.

The Young Victoria (2009) PG 105 min

A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.  Character evolves similarly to Elizabeth I, with a focus on how she allows others to influence her choices early on, but becomes self-confident and a true leader by the film's end. 



Glengarry Glen Ross 

Apollo 13 

Erin Brockovich

Anna and the King 

Shawshank Redemption 

Henry V 

Saving Private Ryan 

Gung Ho 

Remember the Titans


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