The Role of Technology-Enhanced Storytelling in Health Education

Kato Nabirye H.

Faculty of Business, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Technology-enhanced storytelling has emerged as a transformative pedagogical tool in health education, combining the emotive and cognitive power of narrative with innovative digital technologies. This paper explores the theoretical frameworks, benefits, challenges, and future directions of this approach. Grounded in narrative theory and leveraging game-based learning and simulations, technology-enhanced storytelling fosters critical thinking, empathy, and knowledge retention among learners. The benefits include improved engagement, emotional connections, and community outreach, while challenges such as digital accessibility, ethical considerations, and technological proficiency are addressed. Innovations in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed-reality environments further expand the potential of storytelling to simulate clinical settings and enhance public health communication. Collaborative efforts between educators, technologists, and healthcare professionals are essential to maximize its impact, bridging gaps in health knowledge and behaviors. This paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of strategic implementation and research to unlock the full potential of storytelling in health education.

Keywords: Technology-enhanced storytelling, Health education, Narrative theory, Game-based learning, Virtual reality (VR).

CITE AS: Kato Nabirye H. (2024). The Role of Technology-Enhanced Storytelling in Health Education. IDOSR JOURNAL OF ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 9(3):11-17. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAM/2024/9.3.1117