Reading – The Persuasive Power of Narrative
Share how you have used storytelling to link learning in your teaching practice.
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Stories make the learning real life and others can learn from our experiences whether good or bad. Personally, I find stories invaluable in my own learning.
I share both my own stories and the stories of others through articles, reviews and narratives for students to deconstruct and understand the underlying issues/ causes or different ways/ choices that could have been made. I often like to select stories with some humor in it to engage the group eg. for team building we’ll watch a clip from Madagascar with the penguins and decide what elements the penguins illustrated and what makes them such a strong team. I will share my own stories at the beginning of a semester so the students get to know my background, become comfortable… Read more »
Teachers’ stories are very important in VET education. Adults join a course because it is relevant. It could be due to PD requirements, obtaining the licence, keeping up with the changes to avoid fines and loosing clients, picking up new skills, but it is their choice. Thus, incorporating real lived-through examples really demonstrates how this training is going to help achieve the set goal or help solve a specific problem at work. In my classroom I tell stories about how I handled common problems when I worked in the industry (successfully or not). Over the years, I also collected stories… Read more »
Good stories make an impact. They are memorable and fun. How would you share your stories in class.
I was really fortunate to have a great teacher at Uni for one of the most boring (from my point of view) subject – ethics. The book had lots of pages on various philosophies and theories and no examples on what to do with that information. What she did was amazing – she explained each theory with the application to her family/ work life – ordinary events through the lens of those theories. Definitely memorable – for the exam and for my work later.
I use storytelling to link difficult learning concepts to “life examples”. It is so positive when you read answers to assessment questions that draw on the story you have provided to explain the concept.
That’s a wonderful idea. Examples are important when sharing stories. You may invite them to share their stories too. What strategies of story telling work for you?
Agreed stories are are life experiences and assist in learning concepts and ideas.
I share my story of the difficulties of being an apprentice with my apprentice classes. I tell of the self-doubt and anxiety I felt. I share with them what I call the turn-around moment. Do I stop and turn around (quit) or do I push on and see what happens. I finish the story by telling them if you do turn around and go back there is every possibility that the outcome/position/result i wanted will be lost. And if i do turn around what will i do next time i am challenged by life. I leave a message on the… Read more »
Apprentices in particular would value your story Jason.
This is a great example of the use of storytelling by sharing your life difficulties and how you overcame these.
Where possible I relate to events that I have engaged in and share positive and negative experiences . First-hand experiences, whether they are good or bad, let students see that its alright to discuss and interact about. Honesty and trust builds scaffolding relationship.
Vocational education is all about the story – working or life experience will help explain a point, My students love to hear my stories however long ago they may be! – they are still relevant and engage the students – then they can share their stories.
Yes. A compelling story provides context for learning, and could be fun when sharing. Have you got interesting stories to share?
One thing I always try and do with my teaching is to relate my actual experiences to the content I’m delivering. As an Event Teacher, I always refer to events that I have produced and share both positive and negative experiences from them. My objective is to provide my students with my first-hand experiences, whether they are good or bad, I want to be honest with them to ensure we build a trusting relationship.
This is the best learning, not just the principles from the textbook, but real stories, real problems and more importantly, real solutions – where did you go, who did you talk to, what alternative resources did you use and ultimately, what worked and what didn’t.
I use storytelling my my Community Services class to try and assist students to realise that its OK to make mistakes and that they need to practise skills until they become second nature
By mistake I stumbled on the power of sharing my life’s professional experiences with my apprentice students. Story telling of my time as a apprentice, the mistakes i made and the triumphs I experienced make it a powerful and engaging tool. Story telling reinforces the “show me it works”
Mistakes are best points for learning, so we could reflect together what works in future. Practising skills in story telling require a supportive environment. Have you experienced any challenges in story telling?
I am loving this reminder of the importance of storytelling in learning as sometimes I’ve forgotten just how powerful it is. I have used a book I had on teaching metaphors that you can use in class to showcase a number of learnings as well as personal stories and experiences. In the future I would like to incorporate more student stories.
I agree story telling encourages involvement and a relaxed environment for the students Shows a sense of purpose
As an online facilitator, I find that engaging online learners is particularly challenging. You don’t get the opportunity to develop that personal relationship with students, so good quality learning design becomes paramount. One strategy I use is to weave narrative into scenario-based, real-life examples, using branching technologies. By placing the learner at the centre of the story and as the lead character of the narrative, they get to choose which journey to take so it becomes personal to them. This combination of responsibility, vulnerability, excitement, anticipation, risk and fun encourage the same type of connection learners have when hearing stories.
I understand the online facilitation as well.
A challenge but students will engage so long a they feel your not just here to get it over and done with .
Definitely encouraging involvement, change the dynamics of the group and learning
I agree with the challenges for an online facilitator and believe that not only should great stories be told within learning materials but also a kind of ‘choose your own adventure’ approach to assessments whereas a lead in story or scenario is included to elicit more real world understanding and excitement from students rather then a bland yet perfectly mapped assessment event.
I always use my own experience to explain difference topics to my students. I think it makes them realise how the learning material applies to the day to day activities at work. I also encourage the students to tell the class about their own experience.
Absolutely, Elena. I agree that giving students an opportunity to share their own stories (where relevant), helps them learn more than the topic at hand; it fosters collaboration, confidence and critical thinking.
I 100% agree with you. I also encourage my students to share their personal experiences with topics we’re discussing. I really emphasise to my students that engagement will result in all of us learning from each other which is so important.
I often use storytelling to illustrate or contextalise a feature or skill I am trying to teach. Feedback from my learners across many years tells me that it helps them to ‘pin’ a topic or method or strategy to have a real life application to illustrate the point.Linking theory to practice helps them to understand the point and how it relates to their role.
Doing this Sharon really helps learners hold on to the concept because they relate it to the story.
I tell stories whenever I can and obviously it must be relevant to the topic. I think to be a good storyteller you need to keep current with what is going on in the world and back up what you say with examples and facts. This is very important in this age of fake news, students love it when you can present real stories.
It also helps learners to see us real people with more than just ‘book’ knowledge. nothng like a recount of lived experience to support a theoretical exercise. I also feel it keep students engaged in a seemingly more relaxed way… stories are accessible.
Yes it has to be relevant and current. As a teacher where I work a great deal of Emphasis is placed on staying current. Many of the teachers keep our industry jobs, specifically so we can teach industry skills that are up to date.
I love using Sufi tales whenever I can they encourage children to think.
I agree. As a PT Event Teacher and still working within the industry, it keeps me current and I feel that this is really helpful with my teaching. Whenever I’m discussing a topic, I always relate it to an experience that I actually had, whether it was a positive or negative one. The negative stories usually receive a better response from my students as they appreciate that I’m genuine and honest and not afraid to be critical of myself, I make it very clear that I’m far from perfect and am always learning.
I am a huge fan of stories – A good story teller can engage a classroom instantly.
I love telling stories to my students and encouraging them to tell their own stories. Stories teach the students about life, about themselves and about others. It is a good way for student to develop an understanding and respect for other cultures as well. Story telling can often help students to understand a concept that they are not grasping eg size, space, colour etc. With adult learners, stories are a key learning strategy. For example, I have often shared my stories from the office where I work – my learners can often relate to this especially if we are talking… Read more »
Stories are magic, I believe when the students can relate to them their understanding of the topic/ theory deepens.
I agree wholeheartedly… stories allow us to connect with others, they can expand and deepen our understanding of each other and introduce us to new ways of viewing the world.
Yes agreed, I love to get students telling their own stories too and invite this into the classroom from day 1.
I think that the best way for teachers to instil confidence in their pupils is to introduce safe ways to learn how to speak in front of others. For so many of us adults, to have had this opportunity at school, would possibly have changed the course of our lives. Teach young learners the steps, but allow them to develop at their own pace. Soon you will have them competing to tell their own stories in front of the class.
I think this is a good idea Robyn. I can remember my own primary school days when I was elected to give a speech, I was so nervous but it definitely was empowering and left me feeling like I had accomplished something worthwhile.
I agree with the idea of speaking in front of others. I ask my students to present their understanding of the different topics in every class in from of the whole class. The first couple of times they are nervous but with plenty of practice it makes them relax and share information
Absolutely, Robyn. I really lack this skill now and wish it was something I focused on while my brain was still young enough to absorb it.
I had to give a speech in English class in First Form (year 7) – I had a stutter – at the end of my speech the teacher kindly said I should find a job where I didn’t have to speak in public. In time my stutter went away (not sure why) 40 years later I was giving a presentation to an auditorium full of teachers (500+) and I saw that teacher in the audience. As soon I realised who she was I started stuttering. Teachers are very powerful.
I so agree Anne – teachers don’t realise how powerful words and actions can be. My art teacher (from school many moons ago) held up my painting as an example of ‘how its not done’…charming eh! never forgotten that.