Does technology flatten authenticity? Exploring the use of digital storytelling as a learning tool in mental health nurse education

ABSTRACT

The article reflects on digital storytelling as an approach designed to apply the theory of authentic learning in a co-productive context. It explores the suitability of digital stories as pedagogical tools and examines the connection made between the individual and group interpretation of these stories. A participant group (n = 7) comprising family carers, people with lived experience and mental health nursing students were invited to join two facilitated workshops. The group reviewed four contrasting forms of digital stories with the aim of eliciting and sharing their perspectives. It was found that digital audio compared less well to visual media in authenticity scales. Still photobook-style images were also perceived to be less authentic than dramatic film employing professional actors. Furthermore, it was found that the essence of authenticity became richer as the process and activities of co-productive engagement developed. It is proposed that creating digital scenarios co-productively provides a relational environment in which the essence of authenticity can be felt and expressed. The article will explore the suitability of digital stories as pedagogical tools and examine the process of co-production as an approach which accentuates realism.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital stories
• authenticity
• education
• co-production
• narrative

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Margaret M. M. Conlon

Margaret M. M. Conlon is a Lecturer and Field Lead of the Undergraduate Mental Health nursing programme at the University of Stirling. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2016, Margaret is a passionate teacher and experienced mental health nurse whose interests include developing contemporary digital teaching approaches in nursing education.

Fiona Smart

Dr Fiona Smart is an Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching and Head of the Department of Learning and Teaching Enhancement at Edinburgh Napier. She is a Principal Fellow of the HEA and an International HE Consultant.

Gwenne McIntosh

Gwenne McIntosh is an experienced senior lecturer and mental health nurse with a keen interest in co-production in education and has research experience surrounding the impact of co-production in nurse education from a student and family carer perspective. Gwenne is a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), holds an MSc in Nursing and Applied Education and is a Registered Mental Health Nurse.