A Backward Design Approach to Health Communication: Developing Health Literacy Skills During COVID-19

Abstract

This article describes an approach to addressing health literacy and the infodemic surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a way to develop communication skills among students in an undergraduate public health program. The project was designed for an upper-level health communications course, but it could be adapted for any health education or public health course where health communication to address misinformation is an objective. It is well suited for face-to-face, online, and hybrid settings. This project utilizes several evidence-based pedagogical approaches, including backward design, use of open educational resources, and experiential learning. While the project described here focuses on COVID-19 and associated social media infographic development, the instructional strategies have been applied to other health issues in previous terms and can be easily adapted to any current health issue and communication product that will engage learners while developing communication competencies.