Incorporating Storytelling in Your E-learning

in E-learning

An e-learning course crafted as

a story will engage learners on

an emotional level, and compel

them to act, do, or change, to

emerge the winner.

Story Structure

Stories have a structure called the Story Arc.

Climax

Introduction

Conflict

Resolution

A story begins by introducing the characters and describing the setting where the story unfolds. Introduction

Stage 1

Stage 2This is the heart of the story and describes the issue to be addressed; the skills to be enhanced. Conflict

Stage 3Every story culminates in a climax – the terminal objective – the purpose for which the story was crafted. Climax

Stage 4This step summarizes the key takeaway of the story and reinforces what learners need to do to overcome the problem in question.

Resolution

Tips to Craft a Good

Story

1 Personalize the story

• Picture yourself in the leaners ’ shoes • Keep asking ‘What ’s in i t For Me ? ’ • Use characters and job t i t les your learners can relate to

2 Highlight content

Content should be the king of your e - learning course, not the story! Trim unnecessary fr i l ls such as too many characters or a highly dramatic environment.

3 Align story with learning objectives

Use the story as a tool to help your learners accomplish a goal –sel l better, handle customers ef f ic iently, use the new software, or fol low regulatory pol icies . Do not include a story just for entertainment.

4 Plan your story

Keep your key takeaway in mind and craft your story with a c lear start , middle, and an end. Include essential detai ls . Be creative and use elements such as tension and dialogues judiciously.

5 Have a clear resolution

Present the solution to the confl ict c learly through the story. Help learners understand how their problem can be solved.

Before we leave, let us quickly recap what we have learnt.

Stories provide context and meaning to process information, help develop trust and commitment, and elicit an emotional response from learners.

Tips:

• Personalize the story

• Highlight content

• Align story with learning objectives

• Plan your story

• Have a clear resolution

Stories have a structure called the story arc which consists of:

• Introduction

• Conflict

• Climax

• Resolution