Now that we know what types of learners we are likely to face, it becomes clearer how we can improve the way we create and use stories in our learning objectives.
Storytelling and Interactive Stories – The Difference
Foundations and Structure of Stories
As a review of the basic foundations of stories, let us take a quick look at what happens within each element of a story:
Exposition
department employee at City Hall. Having worked there for nearly 5 years, he
now needs a big-impact, low-budget project to get promoted to Assistant
Department Head.”
sets up the basic details of the story setting. We find out where and when it
takes place, and who the characters are. These are the basic things that give
the story a shape.
Conflict
people in the City have the habit of drinking from water fountains by putting
the fountain spout completely inside their mouths. This has been the cause of
contamination and the fast spread of disease. How can Parker solve this
problem?”
interesting. There’s trouble, suspense, choices need to be made, emotions run
high and there is a problem to be solved.
Rising Action
interviewing citizens, conducting experiments, assigning guards to each water
fountain within a 5 km. radius of City Hall, designing contraptions that will
stop people from coming too close every time they take a sip. Each idea was
more complicated than the last and he was running out of time.”
full-motion, doing things, finding solutions. Getting to the bottom of the
conflict and creating a way out of it. In the process there is revelation,
development and growth.
Climax
looking at the water fountain problem the wrong way. The next day, in front of
the City Health Council, he proudly unveiled the Amazing Spoutless Fountain.
Removing the spout meant there was nothing there to put your mouth on. It was
cheap, it was simple, and it was brilliant.”
of the story, the moment the audience has been waiting for. The climax stirs
the highest emotional response, built up from the tension and suspense of the
Rising Action.
Denouement
about his idea, and the Council gave it their full support. And even better, he
found a new way of looking at challenging situations. Sometimes the simplest
solutions are the best, but it takes a ton of hard work to get there.”
just a closing to a story. This is where loose ends are tied, explanations are
made, and a final solution and outcome is laid out for the characters.
What goes on inside the Structure of a Story?
As simple as our story is, we can actually see how it is a well-built narrative, based on the seven elements of a good story:
Illustration from Story Impacts ebook
How is this applicable and useful to our Learner Types?
This is how each learner type interacts with the story.
Imaginative learners can relate to the emotional struggles of the characters. They
empathize with difficult choices and are able to see things from the
character’s point of view, which makes the story all the
more real and relatable.
Methodical learners are detail-oriented. They take on the facts of the story: what
happened, who are these characters, what do they want and what needs to be
done?
These learners interact with story by discovery.
resolutions that make the most sense in real life. They take fiction, and turn
it into pragmatic ideas that they can use.
These learners interact with the story to satisfy
their curiosity.
Creative learners would be more likely to say “If it were me, I would…” and offer alternate solutions that challenge the story and bring out other
perspectives. They will ask questions and challenge details which means their
interest is high and are keen to invest more time in the discussion.
These learners interact with the story by “travelling” into a different future with different outcomes or imagining other possible options.
Summary
Stories need to have a structure that appeals and excites different kinds of learner types. Interactive Storytelling takes good stories to the next level, by encouraging involvement and building a connection among learners.
Take time to look at the stories you use and see if you have the complete elements that will engage your audience.
References
Tip #10: How to Teach Very Complex Ideas with Story-Based eLearning Scenarios
Tip #38: Making Learning Styles Come Alive in Interactive Stories