Reading – The Persuasive Power of Narrative
Share how you have used storytelling to link learning in your teaching practice.
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Terrific points below.
Some of my most enjoyable moments teaching is when students are felling comfortable to share their experiences – and they are actually relevant! The other students really take it in.
Stories and sharing experiences is a great way to introduce and reinforce content
I agree Daniel. It makes you feel that not only do they understand the course content but they are interested in the topic you are discussing.
As an online learning designer, scenario-based learning is one of my favourite approaches to making learning engaging. Knowing that the online learners will not be in a classroom or with a teacher in person, using relevant stories and characters to build connection to the content and its relevance is vital. Creating simulated organisations that reflect real organisations, populating them with realistic workers and clients and giving the student a trainee role in that organisation sets the scene to build virtual relationships with co-workers and engage with clients is various related situations across multiple units in a course. Given the increasing need for businesses to operate online and without face-to-face contact with customers/clients, this gives students a taste of what they are likely to experience in the workplace. An example is taking a young couple on the various stages of planning and booking an overseas honeymoon across several units (designed pre-Covid). Taking the clients in the learning content and carrying them into the scenario-based assessments means both the teaching and assessment are based on stories (scenarios).
After reading your post it made me realize scenarios are a tool I do not make use of as much as I should. I think I should look at how I can implement them more in the future,
As a learner myself I can recall stories my teachers have told much more easily than facts and figures. I can recall the reasons for the stories and the understanding that came with it.
I use the same idea with my students to illustrate how the content is relevant to our experiences. These are not generally stories of success but where I have learned lessons from something gone wrong. I agree that students see you as human and real if you can admit that you aren’t perfect, and it helps them remember the content of the lesson.
Hi Julie, I agree that stories of difficulty and hardship often seem more relatable and ways to overcome these more useful and relevant.
Hi, I totally agree with you Julie when I was a learner and still am
I had a great teacher who not only provided the facts but linked it
to real-world experiences which she faced. It made learning that subject
much more interested.
Nicola. So true, it links the learning to tangible and ‘real’ things that move beyond concepts
I too remember stories my teachers told more that a specific lesson that they may have taught.
I teach at TAFE and also Le Cordon Bleu, including both domestic and international students. I find that the students definitely need to understand the relevance of what they are learning to their own goals as adult learners. It is essential to use my own experience and examples to earn their respect and to demonstrate that I am “current” in the industries in which they are working or seeking employment. We have some great class discussion with students offering their own insights and experience to each other, so yes being “flexible” is so important and being a “facilitator”.
Discussion is one of the best ways of learning, it leads to sharing of so many great ideas that the students come up with, and gives them more ownership of their learning as well. It also builds a connection between students, as well as with the teacher.
That is so true. The story helps to make the teaching relevant!
I am an ESL teacher at TAFE, and I often use anecdotes to introduce topics and use my personal stories to expand on them. This allows learners to relate more to , and engage with the topic, while creating a sharing environment, as learners will often feel confident to tell their own stories.
I agree. Building that confidence with international students is so important! I also teach at TAFE and positive student feedback on teachers is often related to the teachers’ different experiences and that they shared their stories with them.
I agree to build confidence with international students is vital to reach their personal and educational goals. The international students have enough challenges settling into a new culture and surrounding making the learning more interesting by telling your own experiences is a great way to connect with them.
I worked in China for many years when I tell the students about my own experiences they realise they are not alone. The students really appreciate it.
I enjoy story telling and sharing my life experiences as a way to engage the students. Life experiences are both the successful and not so successful stories. This strategy helps to open discussion in a classroom.
It is also more fun than death by PowerPoint 🙂
Hi Caterina, I think because it takes courage and shows vulnerability to share stories of ourselves, especially of failures and not-so-successful experiences, that that encourages students to do the same.
As an English language teacher, i am always helping my students understand our language and culture by telling stories about myself, experiences and my family so the students can relate more easily to things. It often generates questions and further interest.
Hi Alanna, i agree, it is a very beneficial way to promote student conversations.
I feel sharing our own stories with students allows them to see that we as teachers are real too. It also models that we all need to continue to reflect upon our practices to develop our skills.
Cassie, this is so true and great reminder that we are real too and have our own range of emotions that require authentic expression.
Story telling to link learning material to real life circumstance is easier with today’s “connected” students because they are in fact often aware of the practical application of the learning material. I teach accounting and there are plenty of real life stories of companies applying what we are learning. Often I tell the students stories of the real life application of what we are learning. Often students have stories of their own to contribute to the class discussion. So do both – Tell stories, also ask for stories.
I totally agree Dylan. I use my own stories and experiences when I can, but sometimes you may not have a relevant story or experience and by opening it up to the students’ own experiences, we can get some great discussion going.
I teach students how to become trainers so using storytelling is a great way to impart my real world experiences of what had worked well and what hadn’t worked well for me in the classroom. It adds real world examples and context to the lessons and normally creates lots of questions and discussion.
So true Lorraine, a real life story generates so much more discussion and further questions.
I love to use the concept of storytelling and since I am working in the early childhood field, sharing stories from the practice is always appealing to the students. Similarly storytelling with pre school age children that I also teach is beneficial too.
As a teacher, teaching adults, I use storytelling of my own experiences in class to help frame the learning and teaching experience that my students are receiving, but, more importantly, my storytelling adds real life context and scenarios to the lesson. It also makes in more personal and real, and students love to hear about my mistakes, so they learn from that, and hopefully do not make the same mistakes I did.
Chris I agree that using story telling with adults helps to add real life context to teaching and makes it more meaningful to the subject matter.
Hi Lorraine, yes I have found that contextualising through story telling, allows learners to make sense of, and relate more to topics taught.
On meeting a class in a small city school for the first time students asked “Where are you from?” They corrected me – “Not where you live”. The next day another class asked the same question and this time I could answer “England, Ireland and Scotland”. I was lucky. They wanted to know my story and they then launched into sharing their own stories with gusto. I took this learning to my first country school class and took the initiative to launch with where my family came from. This group was more interested in where my relatives from Ireland (1800s) because they settled in a neighbouring town, failed at farming, but were successful in being the local butcher and two family members became town Mayors. This group then launched into their own family stories with gusto also.
I’ve told stories about the importance of planning – work overseas (alone).
Other stories – how some things can seem monumental but with hindsight it’s not the case – tertiary assignment load semester 1.
A story of consequences – I thought I was helping a russian invalid little boy when I gave him rubles in a park in Novgorod, but then I heard his “keepers” in the wooded area yelling at him….
Story telling to support the learning goal is useful and when it’s done right (fingers crossed) the students are engaged. You just have to try, take a risk and use intonation and eye contact, facial expression.
Alison, i completely agree with you that storytelling can support learning goal, I see that when I am working with my preschool group.
Storytelling is important when imparting skills, as it provides an example of how the tasks–whether theory or practical–fit into a job role in the real world. It shows that what they are learning now can be applied in the future.
So true Sheila, story telling brings a real life perspective to what we are learning about.
Sharing stories also provides an opportunity for empathy – for students to “walk a mile in someone’s shoes”. The stories needs to be relevant and appropriate. I have used stories about other people to he illustrate an idea. A story I have heard or a story I was a part of but not the primary player. Sometime I refer back to old stories to remind students.
Julie-Anne I think telling stories like the ones you’ve mentioned is important. I shared Martin Luther King’s speech “I have a dream…” with students and I was surprised they hadn’t heard it and were engrossed by it. It was a great discussion starter.
I agree, it easy to go off track and the information that you are imparting is lost. Stories, while they can be very beneficial need to be relevant.
Storytelling is important because it helps in getting the message through. The story has to be relevant to the content being delivered so that the listeners can relate to it. Teaching through storytelling is an art and teachers need to plan well otherwise it will not have the desired effect. Having come from a different cultural background, teachers like myself might find it difficult to pick the childhood stories for their current students. However, it is possible to find stories relating to my early years in Australia. This involves re-learning almost everything to get “Australian experience”. Stories about studying in Australia, finding first job, and feeling part of the society. When I tell my students to imagine themselves in my situation of being by myself in a brand-new country, it does draw interest. Stories about making silly mistakes when new in the job draw interest from students and gives them confidence.
Amir, I agree that the story has to be relevant to the content when being delivered so that students can relate to it. I find sometimes that students then go on a tangent in another direction which in a way it helps them to open up and participate in class discussion.
Sharing anecdotes from your life helps put the learners at ease, builds rapport and can set the context for the content of the session. Providing examples that illustrate particular teaching points aids engagement and understanding.
Storytelling brings examples to which the students can relate to. Stories about life experiences can transform lives and that is what the teachers are there for.
I agree Amir storytelling brings examples to the students then they share their life experiences in a short story.
Building rapport, and showing the students that you are fallible.
So true about storytelling and real life examples. Through storytelling you can easily connect with your students in particular if they are coming from different cultures then the sharing and learning is richer and more vibrant.
Yes it does Joy. It makes it seem more real for the learner.
Story telling from experience is gold in a trade class as it helps students connect with you and other class mates.
Brenda, you’re the expert in your field so I think it is critical that you share the wealth of knowledge that you have gained from your time in the workplace.
I totally agree that stories are a powerful way to get all ages involved. I love to use stories to explain difficult concepts. I teach a WHS subject that is heavy with government and legal jargon and concepts. I now have a story about super car racing that includes all of the “hard” stuff that appeals to my mostly teen male students. If it has wheels and an engine they love it but the story weaves through the WHS concepts with quite remarkable retention.
Well done Amanda, turning something that could be quite dry and unpalatable into something that piques teen learners’ interest.
What a great way of using story telling Amanda, making it relevant to your student group.
I like to use stories to connect new learning to things the students already know. it is difficult to give an exact example as they are used in teaching moments that arise during classes. My preference is to solicit storied of lived experience from students through the use of facilitation skills and questioning. the success rate is pretty good but if the attempt falls flat i will read the room and either use one of my lived experience stories or move on.
i also like to use stories to encourage perseverance because we all have experiences of learning something and hitting a point (probably many points) where we thought it was just too hard to learn but we returned, managed to overcome the challenges and now reap the rewards.
I agree Keryn, stories are a great way to build upon existing knowledge especially coming from the student’s own experience. I am going to use your “hitting the hard point” analogy with my next class.
Yes storytelling in these instances provide a link to new learning, and provides an example why the content is worth learning.
I have found the most useful storytelling is when discussing topics such as discrimination or bullying with students in my class. Coming from a migrant family background, using those stories to help students understand how words can hurt, or how opportunity shouldn’t be taken for granted. These stories have really rensonated deeply with my students. I find if they can see the other sides persepctive through my story telling they are able to have more empathy, openness and understanding. When you share your experiences with your students there is more repsect, connection and understanding for one another.
Jessica, this is very relevant for people coming from different cultural backgrounds. Apart from generating interest in the session, such stories help students develop better understanding of others. Making people better human beings is also part of our job.
During COVID my stories about when I was learning to deliver in a connected environment were critical to ensure teachers starting down that path understand it doesn’t need to be mastered all in one go….as well as giving them an understanding that those experiences are going to bring them closer to the class if they handle them in the right way.
Jodie I totally agree. I used the same tac and earnt so much respect from students. Students are still chatting about it in class( at my expense) but creates a good atmosphere.
This is great Jodie and it lines up with the piece Michael said about authenticity also. It help the students and teacher build a relationship on helping each other through the experience and then have hundreds of stories to tell afterwards.
I continue to reiterate my struggles I had in my trade and how I wish I had learnt to understand what was happening then just parrot learn – which did me no help at all as a tradesman. I am conscious of the road ahead for them, and the mistakes I have made and that’s what makes me passionate to share these experiences so they don’t fall into the same hole or embarrassment in the future. I personally believe that this helps me engage and be authentic with my students with regards to this
Hi Paul, you make some really great points. it is worth sharing our own learning struggles with students so they understand that learning new things is challenging for everyone – not just them – but the rewards can be great if they persevere.
I think that’s great Paul. I also do the same and remind the students that you learn more from a mistake then getting it right all the time.
Stories are the vehicle where we link new learning. As an adult educator, my students have their own stores and experiences that they can link new learning s to. their experiences of successes and failure allow for opportunities of exploration and problem solving applying new techniques and positive learning experiences. I use my own stories to show experiences of positive learning as well as how to overcome negative learning experiences (changing negative learning by understanding its value as a learning experience and using it to improve or change learning).
Kay, i like how you use the vehicle analogy, guessing the vehicle has it’s problems as well as its advantages….. and i guess it’s important to try and listen to their stories as well as sharing your own ….. life is kind to us when we have experienced both the good and not so good
I continually use stories from my experience to demonstrate examples of what I am teaching. It is very powerful because it is real. I don’t use the negative experiences very often but after listening to this advice I will try this.
Hi again Tracey, I use negative experiences I have had to prove that everyone makes mistakes and I also use them to show that we learn from negative stories, of course, these are not stories that will, or could, cause stress or discomfort. It shows that we are human and as humans mistakes are made and that we learn from these mistakes. I often tell my students it’s great that you know what you know, but mistakes are critical as it is these experiences where the learning happens,
I tell stories about how I have struggled to access websites that haven’t considered accessibility and the needs of their audience. And I usually explain how, with technical tricks and hacks, I can work around these. But I also explain that many users with special needs won’t be able to overcome these as easily and may abandon the site, and how this will impact their lives.
This is really relevant John. I often use the story of my student who was blind and using a screen reader to access online learning resources. I describe the experience of simple things like telling her to “look” for something. We always laugh about that. It makes it very real for students who are deigning these tools in the future to think about how to use something.
I teach photography and i often tell stories of my own career as a photographer which started in 1982 and continues to this day. Of course i relay stories of success but i think they get more from my stories where everything went wrong and mistakes i have made. I always say to them ” I made these mistakes so you dont have to”
Those “cautionary tales” are usually the most impactful I find!
Always good to show our human side 🙂
yes, its these struggles we learn the most, and to allow our students to be aware that life doesn’t always go to plan
Great way of phrasing it Adam….although I also like to tell me failures to show what I actually learnt out of them.
I share stories all the time to relate the content I’m delivering to the workplace. The examples I provide help the students to understand the context of the content. Students are also invited to share their experiences as all workplaces are different. I have learned from their examples and stories.
It definitely makes it ‘real’ for students.
And how great is it to hear other peoples experiences too if not only to re-enforce that what you are teaching is important.
Real stories stop and make them think and relate to you and realise they aren’t the only ones that struggle to get where they’ve gotten.
True – its a great foundation for vocational education
I found when teaching TVET students that in the majority of cases they do not have a great deal of “life experiences” to share (some more than others). On a number of occasions when endeavouring to assist students to understand a particular concept or task I have shared a life experience of my own and this has added to the relevance of the topic and they were better equipped to understand and learn. I often use the analogy that much of what they are learning are “transferrable skills” in life and can be used in so many career pathways and life in general.
Agreed, our young people think they know, telling them about our own experiences outs learning into real contexts and they can unpack and explore our experiences to develop strategies on how to handle a similar situation of they themselves come across in life or work, or even learning.
This is great to remember that what they are learning are “transferrable skills”. I think it is so important for us as educators to help our students realise that all the different skills they accumulate throughout their lives can serve them in so many different ways. It only adds to their abilities and experience and is never a waste of time.
Part of my subjects covers food allergies. I haven’t had any allergies but when I told them my story of an unexpected anaphylactic reaction I had recently, I had their undivided attention! It certainly was real and they could see the relevance and seriousness of why they would need to know this sort of information and how to apply it.
Brigid, great for me to hear as i can see the students responded positively to your vulnerability and real life situation.
Stories that are literally a matter of life and death would certainly grab my attention!
When discussing the use of food additives, in particular thickeners, I told my students about my work experience testing different thickening agents in chocolate topping formulations including the reasons for the investigations and my observations. I think this gives a good context for applying knowledge of food additives
Being able to share my experience in industry certainly helps students see the relevance of what they are learning.
Bringing stories or real life experiences into the classroom is so important to connect the learner to the subject and for them to see a use for the subject matter and how to apply it in their daily activities.
I agree David. This is so important for their learning.
yes I would agree I teach nursing and you increase your street credibility with real and current examples of near misses
Could not agree more David, the connection that story telling provides in a classroom setting is so valuable.
Appropriate shoes for work!
As a girl I grew up with my mother telling me that when your outside, out working with the horses you need to have appropriate shoes on, always telling me every time I went to go outside. I did like a good girl I put on the right shoes for the job. Then one day came where I was on my way out to put the horses out and I had a friend with me, I was in thongs…… and I said to her my mother taught me better than to go outside to the horses in thongs. Nothing else was said.
Then sure enough the one time I didn’t have appropriate shoes on I was leading this mare out of the stables, a mare that had been in and out a thousand times and sure enough she spooked, stepped on my foot, twisted and bounced off it. Moral of my story is it only takes that one time.
Great story Adora.
Sharing an experience with the students that relates to them and the same industry is quite effective in getting their attention and keeping them engaged. If you have built a good relationship, they are always interested to hear your stories.
Totally agree Carol, sharing those experiences is a valuable learning tool and one that fosters respect and develops a rapport with our students.
I agree, sometimes its those personal touches or personal stories that are so intriguing to students. Giving them the opportunity to see that even their teacher has made mistakes and showing them how you have learnt from it is very powerdful.
I think learners like to hear about someone else’s life – and the successes and failures. Isn’t this the way we learn ‘we are not alone’…
Agree, we don’t want to feel alone but on the same page no two lives are the same and so this is where we use the right words when communicating.
Life experiences whether positive or negative in their outcome are the way we all learn from each other and value the lessons learnt.
Not only that it builds connections with your students as well.
I teach Project management units and I always share stories of my past projects and thus bring interest and relevance to their learning. Students learn more when they listen these stories and they are able to make better connection to their learning.
Agree Sujeet, they will likely use your stories to reflect on.
Real life stories bring authenticity to the subject. When students can relate they learn.
Excellent conclusion Sujeet, some concepts can be difficult to grasp and it is often the use of a personal experience that can provide a simpler explanation and lead to a much better understanding of the topic by the student.
As a first aid teacher I find the best way to engage the students is by telling my first aid stories. The most common question I get from students is “have you ever done CPR”. When I say “yes” and then relay the story I see that they become more attentive. Because this course is related to events that can happen in anyone’s life having my own stories to tell can make the learning more real and students will know what to expect if faced with a first aid situation.
That’s true, stories about past experiences help students to learn better and also they are engaged in their learning
I guess you might have lots of interesting stories to share in first aid
Im impressed Jackie. Your post makes me want to take your first aid course.
By sharing my personal experiences through story telling with students gives them a deeper understanding of how lesson content over time relate to the trade skills that they are learning. People remember stories and experiences better than a set of facts especially if told honestly. By sharing ,i find that class trust and interest builds quickly .
Interesting comment about building trust! So true. By sharing stories the learners feel a part of something, and included.
i share stores when reading to students with intellectual impairments. so that they can grasp the reality of the topic. usually this story will related to real life situations. eg… use of money and not receiving the correct change when purchasing from food shopping.
Hi Theresa, as an old school teacher who has had experiences teaching adapted classes within the school setting I totally get the sue of storytelling as a way to teach fundamental skills that intellectually impaired students will need to survive in the world.
By sharing experiences and story telling brings relevance to the learning material and allows the learner to connect. It becomes real and personal. It creates discussion and cohesiveness in the class.
This is good because (the story) relates to real life reality. I feel most teachers know this any way.
By sharing my story first, it encourages students, even the quieter ones, to share theirs.
Story telling in class is not new. In fact, story telling predates any class! Story telling has been the means by which pre literate people shared history and knowledge for aeons.
In a ESL class, the students learnt more language by listening and sharing stories than by writing word lists.
Context is key!
So true, I teach special Education and i am constantly referring back to a comparison story to support the student to grasp the meaning. Totally agree with you
Agreed, we have all been using stories but making it relevant to their learning brings more engagement in the class as well as aids to their learning
I often tell stories of patients I have looked after or experiences I have had nursing to illustrate a point.
So effective in linking new knowledge to known experience through your examples
I have told stories about my first aid experiences and how I have felt when injured myself and I think this gives a better understanding of the subject matter. Everyone experiences things differently so this can open up a conversation.
I use stories in my classroom everyday, in vocational education I relate experiences both positive and negative that I had in the workplace to engage and encourage discussion, to provide relevancy to the learning and to develop the relationship with my students as an authentic person who makes mistakes and learns from them
Yes; students love to hear anecdotes that relate to what they are learning – it makes it more applicable to them.
I teach Medical Administration and have found that students benefit from hearing about the experiences that I have whilst working in a Medical Practice as it demonstrates the relevance of the the content which is being delivered within their course.
Great example Sylvia, I relate to this and agree that students get many benefits from hearing about our experiences in the workplace and often a negative experience is a good learning opportunity and it builds on our authenticity and relationshp
I teach Early Childhood Education and Care – our students enjoy hearing of experiences of my interactions with children in services and how even though times may change the level of play and care reman the same.
I agree Marney, student love to hear these stories and it makes the learning real and relevant.
Teaching Finance & Accounting I tell different kinds of stories to suit the circumstance. It is a useful for demonstrating the application of concepts. I also relate incidents of unsuccessful endeavors both in industry and as a new teacher to walk the talk of my view that it’s ok to make mistakes because that is how we learn’. Then students feel comfortable to take the risk and ask a question in front of peers and this enhances everyone’s learning. The other situation for stories is after 8 pm when I can see the poor evening students struggling to stay awake. If I can, I try to relate a humorous anecdote to perk them up.
A good example of sharing with students, your comment links directly to the information just provided about sharing stories -thanks for sharing.
Hi Mary, I like the authenticity that you demonstrate when sharing your stories with students. it really does make a big difference to helping students feel more connected.
Definitely: concrete examples solidify abstract practices in accounting and the reasons for them.
As a VET trainer in Accounting & Finance I use work stories lots to tie the theory to the practical applications of Accounting – whether this be about the technical topics, or discussions around workplace issues / politics in the workplace etc.
We have a similar approach Leona. We can use our stories in so many ways; as an application of theory, as a tool of engagement and to let students know everyone makes mistakes!
This is so important for VET students who need stories of practical experiences to build their knowledge to take to the workplace.
I am a Registered nurse you has been lucky enough to work in this profession both here and overseas. My current role is also a TAFE teacher in Health. I find that by being to put the theory into practice by relating that theory to my own experiences in practice, that student are so much more engaged bring the theory that they learn to life. By telling your story that incorporates theory and practical that students are learning makes their learning more real, tangible and relatable. This assist with student engagement and adds to the quest for even more knowledge.
Maryanne, I agree that providing your own experience helps students make the connection with the relevance of the teaching.
I also think by telling your own stories it makes you more real instead of being seen as that person at the front of the room who probably doesn’t have a life (students view of course).
Stories I believe build engagement and understanding, its helps the student connect the dots
I use my stories to illustrate a point as I am in vocational learning. I have had compliments from students as being the “teacher who listens to me” as many vocational students have personal issues that get in the way of their learning. When I can relate to them with a story about my experience in the workplace, how I felt etc they feel a connection and that I am not perfect and can see their side. When trying to get a point across or a teaching new piece of learning, I find a story is so powerful that there are no interruptions and it generates a good discussion at the end rather than just telling them facts to blank stares.
I totally agree with you Trish. It can be very difficult to engage some students and I feel that you have successfully made this connection with your students by making yourself relatable and closing the gap between learners and facilitators. Well done.
Learners definitely connect with the story telling and it brings down barriers.
I have been fortunate to live in a number of different countries from adolescence to adulthood and now I have experience having taught in a number of different schools. I find that I can tell many stories and relate them back to the subject matter I teach, especially in the Creative Arts and Humanities subject areas. By storytelling as well as covering subject content, it is evident in my teaching experience that the students engage and connect with both you and the narrative with respect and emotion, therefore building relationships and interest within the lesson time.
Rebecca you are clearly a great teacher. I can validate your experiences that you have expressed with you students as they are very similar to my experiences with students when experiences are shared. It is so beneficial as this sharing generated communication and interaction not only with the facilitator but with each other in class, giving rise to basic networking skills that will be so important in their future careers.