A Case Study on the Use of the Photovoice Method for the Empathy Education of College Students : Focusing on the class ‘Exploring Human Relations and Emotions in the AI Era’ at D University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to apply the photovoice method, a participatory action research method, to an actual class in order to expand empathy education for college students. To this end, the study examined where students developed an ability to empathize and then to provide implications. Photovoice enables students to develop a balanced growth of personal and social empathy by sharing personal experiences and by exploring social action through photos provided by research participants. A project utilizing the photovoice method was presented in the course ‘Exploring Human Relations and Emotions in the AI Era’, a liberal arts class at D University located in Seoul. The class was attended by 30 students and digital tools were used mainly in offline classes. The instructor introduced the main topic of the photovoice project, ‘Loneliness of Youth in the AI Era’ and the students carried out photovoice activities in teams. As a result of the activities, students stated that they developed their ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others in the areas of personal empathy and in their ability to communicate empathetically. Also, in the process of sharing the results of photovoice, the social empathy capacity of students to solve social problems and seek policy alternatives improved. Through the results of this study, practical guidelines will be put forth so that the photovoice method can be used in a wider variety of college classes.