Activities per year
Abstract
Aim of the study
This paper presents the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a creative learning project to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through felt making.
Context and Background
This project was funded by a Teaching Innovation Award from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast to explore creative ways of engaging year one undergraduate nursing students in learning anatomy and physiology. The project was facilitated through collaboration between University Teaching staff and Arts Care, a unique arts and health charity in Northern Ireland.
Methodology
Twelve year one students participated in four workshops designed to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through the medium of felt. Facilitated by an Arts Care artist, students translated their learning into striking felt images. The project culminated in the exhibition of this unique collection of work which has been viewed by fellow students, teaching staff, nurses from practice, and artists from Arts Care, friends, family and members of the public.
Key Findings and conclusions
The opportunity to learn in a more diverse way within a safe and non-judgmental environment was valued, with students’ reporting a greater confidence in life science knowledge. Self- reflection and group discussion revealed that the project was a unique creative learning experience for all involved – students, teaching staff and artist – resulting in individual and collective benefits far beyond knowledge acquisition. As individuals we each felt respected and recognised for our unique contribution to the project. Working in partnership with Arts Care enabled us to experience the benefits of creativity to well-being and reflect upon how engagement in creative activities can help healthcare professionals to focus on the individual patient’s needs and how this is fundamental to enhancing patient-centred care
This paper presents the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a creative learning project to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through felt making.
Context and Background
This project was funded by a Teaching Innovation Award from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast to explore creative ways of engaging year one undergraduate nursing students in learning anatomy and physiology. The project was facilitated through collaboration between University Teaching staff and Arts Care, a unique arts and health charity in Northern Ireland.
Methodology
Twelve year one students participated in four workshops designed to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through the medium of felt. Facilitated by an Arts Care artist, students translated their learning into striking felt images. The project culminated in the exhibition of this unique collection of work which has been viewed by fellow students, teaching staff, nurses from practice, and artists from Arts Care, friends, family and members of the public.
Key Findings and conclusions
The opportunity to learn in a more diverse way within a safe and non-judgmental environment was valued, with students’ reporting a greater confidence in life science knowledge. Self- reflection and group discussion revealed that the project was a unique creative learning experience for all involved – students, teaching staff and artist – resulting in individual and collective benefits far beyond knowledge acquisition. As individuals we each felt respected and recognised for our unique contribution to the project. Working in partnership with Arts Care enabled us to experience the benefits of creativity to well-being and reflect upon how engagement in creative activities can help healthcare professionals to focus on the individual patient’s needs and how this is fundamental to enhancing patient-centred care
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 30 Mar 2015 |
| Event | 5th International Nursing and Midwifery Conference 2015 - National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Duration: 30 Mar 2015 → 31 Mar 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | 5th International Nursing and Midwifery Conference 2015 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Ireland |
| City | Galway |
| Period | 30/03/2015 → 31/03/2015 |
Fingerprint
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'Breathe' exhibition at the ' Let the Dance Begin Again Festival'
Bennett, M. (Contributor)
01 Mar 2015 → 13 Mar 2015Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
File -
Research collaboration with Arts Care
Rogers, K. (Member)
Jan 2014 → …Activity: Consultancy types › KTP & Consultancy in kind
Prizes
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Excellence in Teaching by a Team Award
Bennett, M. (Recipient) & Rogers, K. (Recipient), 23 May 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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School of Nursing and Midwifery Teaching Innovation Award 2013
Bennett, M. (Recipient), 01 Dec 2013
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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The human body brought to life in unique exhibition
04/03/2015
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Health Board - Irish Times, by Sylvia Thompson
01/07/2014
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities