The Difference Storytelling Makes in Class Lectures
The other day I was watching a lecture on Gender & Sexual Orientation in my Sociology class.
“Look at this… make sure you read this… blah blah blah… knowledge.”
I love my sociology class (and teacher), but where’s the engagement!? 🥺
Don’t get me wrong, I love learning things, but that does not mean I prefer endless, monotone speeches that last the entire length of the class.
So how can we change this?
Storytelling.
Have you ever read The Giver? Well, that is not exactly the type of storytelling I am talking about, but I am happy to see you have — it is one of my favorite dystopian.
When I talk about “storytelling” in education, I mean explaining or supporting a specific concept/theory through a story.
Here is an Example:
- Topic: The Solar System
Think of The Magic School Bus - Gets Lost in Space
Mr. Band takes his students on an adventure through the solar system, but, unlike Ms. Frizzle, they stay in the safety of the classroom.
You’re an alien 👽 traveling through space. You go from your visit to Earth all the way to the icy Uranus.
Along the way, you explore the planets, collecting a souvenir from each one.
What did you find?
How was each planet different?
So How Does it Help?
A student claims it “makes the lesson less boring,” 🥱
Okay?
Is that true? Is that it?
Don’t worry, this is backed by research, and it does a lot more than “make class less boring”. Let’s walk through the list:
- Catches students’ attention with something more intriguing than the normal lecture.
- Makes class more interactive when students can participate in discussions and more.
- Promotes understanding of content, as it is presented in a way that might be easier to understand for students.
- Creates a more positive environment with stories that may motivate or encourage students.
- Increases memory and retention of the lesson as it allows for a potential emotional connection for the student and adds relatability and relevance to the idea being presented.
Sounds Too Good to Be True. What is the Catch?
Storytelling may not work for every individual. It may not even work for your classroom. As you know, there is no one-size-fits-all for teaching. Here are some of the potential cons:
- Your story is boring to the class…
This is where knowing your audience comes in handy.
You want to know how to make your story clear to the students, so that they understand the topic, but you don’t want the lesson to be SO obvious that they are falling asleep.
- It just does not make sense.
Falling under the same umbrella as the previous point, your story may not make sense. This not only applies to the students not understanding it, but also to the story being unnecessary in the context you are using it.
Topics that might be inappropriate could include those containing sensitive or disturbing topics, overly complex ideas, or ones that take too long to explain — you don’t want to lose your students' attention with an extra-long story.
- It doesn’t work for everyone
Some students just won’t get it, and that’s okay. You just have to learn to recognize what is working and what is not.
Tips for Improving Your Storytelling:
- Make it Interactive
It is one thing to tell a story. It is another to engage with the listeners. There are many ways you can do this. Here are a few ideas:
- Ask questions to your listeners
- Let the students add to the story or make their own
- Use a complementary presentation or visuals
- Add sensory opportunities — taste, smell, touch, sound, and texture
- Make your physical setting part of the experience (decorate your classroom to match the story)
2. Using Vivid Language
Vivid language adds some✨spice✨ to your story. It “stimulate[s] other senses including sight, taste, touch or smell”. Here are some examples of how you can do that:
- Use figurative language- metaphors, similes, circumlocutions, hyperboles, onomatopoeias, etc.
- Add sensory details- explain how things in the story feel, taste, or smell.
Rather than saying “It was raining,” you might say “The raindrops, like tiny ice crystals, descended upon the world, their frigid touch sending shivers down Laylah’s spine.”
3. Create Relatable Stories
Relatable stories are stories to remember.
To make stories relatable, it is important to remember that we are all human. If you know your students well, you can find a way to relate to them.
The best advice someone could give you: be honest — you are human, just like them.
4. Get Feedback
The more you know, the more you grow.
Who do you get feedback from? Well, your students are the best option — go straight to the source. Some will be VERY honest, but others will say little to nothing, so it may be good to do it anonymously via computer or paper.
There you go
Tell stories and get your students excited and engaged! Find what works best for you and them, and roll with it 🌝.
Looking for more information on storytelling in education? Here are some references and recommendations:
- Storytelling in the Classroom- Ohio University
- Storytelling in Teaching and Learning- New York University
- Storytelling for Teaching- Association for Psychological Science
- What Makes Storytelling So Effective For Learning?- Harvard Business Publishing
- What are the downsides to using stories for training and development?- Sage Media
- 30 Storytelling Tips For Teachers: How To Capture Your Students’ Attention- Teach Thought
