Storytelling and Cartoon Characters in Medical Microbiology: An Engaging Approach to Enhance Teaching and Learning

Abstract Narrative learning, or storytelling, has emerged as a powerful pedagogical tool in medical education, offering benefits in making complex concepts relatable and memorable. Incorporating popular comics and movies, such as Marvel characters, into microbiology lectures brings humour and liveliness, stimulating curiosity and breaking monotony. For instance, Shigella’s invasive tactics were compared to Dr. Strange’s ability to access hidden dimensions, simplifying its intracellular pathogenesis. This approach caters to diverse learning styles: visual learners benefit from illustrations, auditory learners from storytelling, and kinesthetic learners from interactive role-plays. Feedback highlights increased enthusiasm and interaction, affirming cinemeducation as a creative, effective teaching method that can activate emotional centres and improves academic performance.