Using the Technology of 35mm Photography to Share Cultural Experiences

Tuesday, 8 July 2008: 1:15 PM
Lee-Ellen Charlotte Kirkhorn, PhD, RN , Family Health Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI

Learning Objective 1: Evaluate the use of 35mm photographs as a teaching strategy with undergraduate and graduate nursing students.

Learning Objective 2: Integrate observational skills and critical thinking in the analysis of 35 mm photographs taken by nurses.

To be a nurse requires skilled use of observation. While nursing literature is replete with examples of cultural, social, physical, and spiritual assessment opportunities, there is a dearth of literature that showcases nurses' use of photography to transmit information about cultures and customs and to augment nursing observation—especially in community health settings.

Using 35mm. photographs taken in Guangzhou, China; the author will share images of Chinese nursing practice, and she will demonstrate the use of photography as a teaching strategy. In both graduate and undergraduate courses at the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, students are asked to analyze and discuss human responses, using photographs of other cultures taken by nurses.

Through an interactive presentation, evidence for the use of photography, examples of nurses' images and successful teaching strategies that incorporate 35mm photos will be presented.