Graphic Novels

by Fabrizio Consorti, Sara Fiorucci, Gianfranco Martucci, Silvia Lai
This scoping review aimed to answer questions about how GnCs are used, the theories underlying their use, and the learning outcomes. Twenty-nine articles were selected from bibliographic databases and analyzed. A thematic analysis revealed four many themes: learning outcomes, students’ reactions, theories and methods, and use of GnCs as vicarious learning. GnCs can support the achievement of cognitive outcomes, as well as soft skills and professionalism.

by Aaron Humphrey
This study aimed to determine whether comics in medical education (“graphic medicine”) can enhance professional identity formation (PIF) of junior doctors. This was accomplished through a multi-year trial of an internship comic book handbook that was specially designed to be used as part of an internship orientation program at Mackay Base Hospital.

by Domyancich-Lee, Shawyn C.; Cleeland, Leah R.; McCleary, Jennifer S.
The focus of this teaching note is on the use of graphic novels in social work classrooms. The article first discusses the unique learning needs of today's digital native learners. It then provides justification for why these books are effective in reaching students who are well versed in image data because of heavy reliance on and use of the Internet and social media. Finally, we share our experiences using select graphic novels in three bachelor's of social work and master's of social work classrooms, connecting this teaching medium to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and competency and practice behaviors aligned with the Council on Social Work Education. Graphic novels allow students to more intimately connect with human experiences at the intersections of social identities, diversity and social justice issues, and policy and practice implications.

Our paper answers the call for business schools to alter ethics education in the classroom. Using graphic novels to teach ethical skills improves the students' ability to assess an ethical situation through empathy (EM) and interpersonal-mentalizing skills (IM) (i.e. reading the minds of their customers). Graphic novels are reemerging as a training tool that has the potential to reach a vast population. Corporations have begun to apply graphic-style training methods to gain the attention of their employees.