Poetry writing and artistic ability in problem-based learning

Zenobia C.Y. Chan

doi:10.1515/ijdhd-2016-0003

Article

Poetry writing and artistic ability in problem-based learning

Zenobia C.Y. Chan

Published/Copyright: June 14, 2016

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From the journal International Journal on Disability and Human Development Volume 16 Issue 1

Abstract

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching and learning approach that is widely used in healthcare education. It has similarly been suggested that poetry writing offers students a way to express their feelings and emotions related to clinical issues, medical education, and their relationship with patients. The rhythmic structure and temporal organisation of poetry allow students to remember poetry more easily than prose, suggesting that important and detailed information could be better memorised through poetic text. To report on how poetry writing and reciting was used in a PBL class in nursing to enhance the students’ artistic ability, and on the students’ perspectives on artistry in their learning. This paper presented a part of results of a main educational study where data were collected through lesson observations, reflective notes, and a follow-up interview. A total of 17 Hong Kong students were encouraged to collaborate in groups and write English poems based on a clinical case. A content analysis was conducted on their reflective notes and narratives were extracted from an interview. Although the students learned about cooperation, creativity, thinking, stress management, how to make lively presentations, deep learning, long-term memory, and professional knowledge, they expressed that the above were indirectly related to artistry. Scholars from the fields of both health related disciplines and literature should collaborate in researching and developing some learning and teaching activities which can further enhance the students’ artistic ability so as to let them learn about empathy and understand patients’ sufferings and illness experiences.

Keywords: artistic ability; poem; problem-based learning (PBL)

Corresponding author: Dr. Zenobia C.Y. Chan, PhD, MPHC, MA, BHS, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, P.R. China, Phone: +852 2766 6426, Fax: +852 2364 9663

Funding source: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Award Identifier / Grant number: A-PM14

Funding statement: This study was funded by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Project Code: A-PM14).

Funding: This study was funded by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Project Code: A-PM14).
Conflict of interest statement: The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

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Received: 2016-1-14

Accepted: 2016-5-1

Published Online: 2016-6-14

Published in Print: 2017-2-1

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijdhd-2016-0003

Keywords for this article

artistic ability; poem; problem-based learning (PBL)