Learning (to the power of) Storytelling

8/7/2019 Learning (to the power of) Storytelling

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Lessons from the Art of Story-telling forEnhancing a Learning Experience

(Learning) Story-telling


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Legend goes, there was a King called Amarshakti,

who ruled a kingdom in Southern India. He was a

scholar and a powerful ruler.


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King Amarshakti had three sons...

Bahushak

ti

Ugrashak

ti

Anantshakti


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The three princes were, what we would today call reluctant learners

Whatsthe point...Here we go again

I am bored!

Muststudy... blah,blah,your

future... blah, blah, blah


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Minister Sumati advised the king that instead of using conventional ways of teaching,they should find ways to wake the intelligence of the princes... and for this hesuggested requesting the great teacher, Pandit Vishnu Sharma to tutor the princes.


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Since verbal sciences have no final end,Since life is short, and obstacles impend,Let central facts be picked and firmly fixed,As swans extract the milk with water mixed.


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Holy Sir, as a favour to me you must make my three

princes masters of the art of practical life. In return, Iwill bestow upon you a hundred land-grants.


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Stories and narratives play a very important role in education


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Stories help in sense-makingLearners connect new knowledge with lived experience andweave it into existing narratives of meaning

Bruner (1986) explains that a story develops thelandscape of

action and the landscape of consciousness (human intention).

As audience we engage with both levels and enter into the

minds of the characters and into the deeper meaning of thestory.

According to Marsha Rossiter and Carolyn Clark


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Harvard psychologist, Lawrence Kohlberg, who proposed a stage theory of moral

thinking, used stor ies like this one, to test moral reasoning:

A woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was

just one drug that might save her.


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Only one pharmacist had that drug and he was charging ten times thenormal price.

The sick womans husband, Heinz, could arrange just half the amount.

PHARMACY


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He pleaded and argued with the pharmacist that his wife was dying and socould the pharmacist please lower the price or allow Heinz to pay later.

But the pharmacist refused.

PHARMACY


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Heinz got desperate and that evening he stole the drug.

PHARMACY


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Should Heinz have stolen the drug?

Should he be punished?

This story is very effecti ve for further discussions on

thinking and moral reasoning


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In his book Social Intelligence, author Daniel Goleman

explains the impact of emot ions on learning and

performance...


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Stories can play a major role in creating suchinspired moments of learning


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What can teachers and parents learn from the art of

storytel ling, to make learning exper iences highly engaging,meaningful and effect ive?

Lets look at some elements, that go into making of a good story,and can be used to enhance learning experiences


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Elements of a Story that can Enhance a Learning Experience

1. Structure

2. Conflict(emotional sub-text)

3. Resolution


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1. Structure

AristotleGustav Freytag

Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution

Persuasion - Ethos, Pathos, Logos

The Rider, the Elephant, the Path

Structure > Conflict > Resolution


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1. Structure


Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution





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Aristotle suggested a Three-Act Structure for

Drama, in his Poetics (c. 335 BCE)

1.Begin

nin

g

2.Middle

3.End



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Lets look at an example...



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No causation

Little emotion



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Causation

Emotion



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1. Structure

Gustav Freytag

Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution



Aristotle

Elements of a Story



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Gustav Freytag suggests a Five -ActStructure for Drama

2.Risin

gA

ctio

n

3. Climax

4.FallingA

ction

1. Exposition 5. Denouement



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2.Risin

gA

ctio

n

3. Climax

4.FallingAction


Exposition of the situation,characters introduced, what kind ofpeople they are and their relations,

goals and motivationMain Character gets to know the goaland what is at stake if he or shefails



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2.Risin

gA

ctio

n

3. Climax

4.FallingAction


Conflict is introduced

Small problems thwartprotagonist

Protagonist overcomesthese secondary obstacles

He or she is finally in aposition to go for primarygoal



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2.Risin

gA

ctio

n

3. Climax

4.FallingAction


Turning Point

Single big decisionthat defines outcome

Protagonist and

antagonist plans getrevealed and get indirect or indirectconflict

Protagonist makes adecision or choice whichshows his or her mainquality



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2.Risin

gA

ctio

n

3. Climax

4.FallingAction


Greatest tension

Things go wrong forprotagonist

Seems evil will triumph



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2.Risin

gA

ctio

n

3. Climax

4.FallingAction


Final confrontationand decisive winfor protagonist

All whys areanswered and long-term consequencesrevealed



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You must stay curious,read more, learn to learn...



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Why?



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Letmetellyouastory



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A group of graduates from a prestigiousuniversity were asked...



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Why do we have seasons?



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23 out of 25 students immediately gave the same answer that the earthis closer to the sun in the summer than it is in the winter

due to the elliptical orbit of the earth.

closer = summer

farther =

winter



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Do you agree?



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Dunno!



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This argument does not hold water because if it were so thenat that point in time both Southern and Northern hemispheres

would have the same season and we know this is not true.

closer = summer

farther =

winter



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The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees.The tilt of the Earth means the Earth will lean towards the Sun

(Summer) or lean away from the Sun (Winter) 6 months later.

In between these, Spring and Autumn will occur.

Northern Hemisphere= Summer

Southern Hemisphere= Winter

N. Hemisphere= Winter

S. Hemisphere= Summer



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Dont just rely on your intuitive thinking,be sure to check your cognitive bias.



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Hmm....



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Why?

You must stay curious,read more, learn tolearn...

Let me tell youa story

1. Exposition



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Dunno!

Do you agree?

2. Rising Action



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3. Climax



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Southern Hemisphere= Winter


S. Hemisphere= Summer

4. Falling Act ion



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Hmm....

5. Denouement



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Why?

You must stay curious,read more, learn tolearn...

Let me tell youa story

Dunno!

Do you agree?


Southern Hemisphere

= Winter


S. Hemisphere

= Summer


Hmm....

1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Denouement



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1. Structure

Gustav Freytag

Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution



Aristotle

Key Elements of a Story



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Call to Adventure

Refusal of the call

Divine intervention or Epiphany

Journey of Trials & Tribulations

Return and Master of the two worlds

Theherosjourneycanbew

ithin-transformationofself

According to Joseph Campbell, the journey ofthe archetypal hero in mythologies consists of



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CalltoAdv

enture



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Intervent

ion



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ll to Adven

ture

f salof the

Call


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CalltoAdv

e

Intervent

ion Trials&Tr

ibulations

Refusalof

t


K El t f St r


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Aristotle

1. Structure

Gustav Freytag

Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution





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Conflict could be between protagonist and antagonist

Or conflict could be with-in the protagonist

Conflict and its resolution moves the story forward...convincingly



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Lets look at two examples...



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Why?




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Why?




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Why?




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Conflict

Why?




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To put the story so far, in perspective...



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Stories can inform, inspire and transform


I h f d i h l l i i


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In the context of education, a story can help a learner imagine...

what is possible

What is What ispossible



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The learner is the hero who has to undertake the

learning journey towards what is possible



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In this learning journey, the learner hero has to resolve

inner conflicts

What is possible


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InnerConflictsLearnersJourney


What is

p

Inner conflicts of a learner could be...


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Cynicism, Skepticism




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Trying is the first step

towards failure- Homer Simpson

Fear of Failure or Ridicule

(what will others think of me)




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Inertia to Act or lack ofenergy and enthusiasm




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Rigid Mindset(habits die hard)





Inertia to Act or lack ofenergy and enthusiasm




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Lack of Self-EfficacySelf-belief about lack of abilities,

that in-turn leads to lesser effortbeing put into learning



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Ambiguity or Lack of Clarity

Boredom & Anxiety




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Focus on Problems not Solutions

Boredom & Anxiety


Ambiguity or Lack of Clarity


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What can we learn from the art of story-tel ling about

how to resolve learner s inner conflicts ?



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1. Structure

Aristotle

Gustav Freytag

Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution




Resolution could be through persuasion


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1.Eth

os

2.Pathos

3.Logos

According to Aristotle a persuasive argument hasthree components



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1.Eth

os

2.Pathos

3.LogosSpeakerscredibility,authority andcharacter



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1.Eth

os

2.Pathos

3.Logos

Appeal toemotions



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1.Eth

os

3.LogosAppeal to logicthrough facts,

data

2.Pathos



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1. Ethos(ethical)

Why?


See how I am still so curious,eager to learn new things andmake it a point to read for atleast an hour every day.

2. Pathos (emotional)


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1. Ethos(ethical)

Why?



Let me tell you a story...

2. Pathos (emotional)


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1. Ethos(ethical)

Why?


According to AmericanSociety of Training andDevelopment (ASTD), theamount of knowledge in theworld doubles every 18months.

3. Logos (logical)


Let me tell you a story...




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1. Structure


Joseph Campbell

2. Conflict

3. Resolution





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In their book Switch - how to change things whenchange is hard authors Chip and Dan Heath take a deeper

look at inner conflicts...



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They look at the inner conflict as a dilemma between HEARTand MIND and use the analogy given by psychologist,

Jonathan Haidt...



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Your Mind or rational side is

THE RIDER


Your Heart or emotional side isTHE ELEPHANT


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THE ELEPHANT



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THE RIDER (mind or rationality)

(+)- is a visionary (thinks long-term)- good at planning and direction- accepts delayed gratification

(-)- Over analyzes(analysis-paralysis)

- Limited strength (self-supervision is exhausting)


THE ELEPHANT (heart or emotions)(+)


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(+)- can provide energy and enthusiasm- responds well to positive emotions

- love, compassion, empathy, loyalty(-)- lazy and unpredictable- desiresinstant gratification- negative emotions(loss of energy or focus)


What looks like Laziness is often Exhaustion


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THE RIDER

Changing habits is tiring (self-control is exhausting)

Prefer to maintain status quo

Sees only problems on the path of change

Too many choices (analysis paralysis)

I

tsto

odiffic

ult

The

sto

newill

break

W

hat

should

Imak

e?

W

hatto

olsshould

Iuse?


What is What is possible

What looks like Resistance is often Lack of Clarity


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THE ELEPHANT

Why change? No emotional connect with change

The challenge is too big

I dont have the ability (lack of self-efficacy)

How should I go about it - what steps?

Why

sho

uldI

doit?

This

isimpossibl

e

Ido

ntha

vethe

abi

lity

How

doI

even

start?


What is What is possible

To Resolve the Inner Conflict,

and bring about change (from what is


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and bring aboutchange (from what is

to whatis possible),you need to appeal

to both the rider and the elephant



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What role can Stories play in Directing the Rider and Moti vating

the Elephant ?


Direct the Rider


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Role of Stories

Stories that demonstrate change is possible

Focus on solutions (and not the problems)

i.e. dont focus on what is broken and how to fix itinstead focus on what is working and how to do more of it

Stories that explain the critical steps

Di t th i



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The story should go on to explain how he changed his mindset...


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Instead of looking at the bad

grades he considered his Agrade in English

How did I get an A in English?Good study habits?

Hard work?Multiple performanceopportunities (writing, debating)?Deep interest and confidence?

He then applied the same

learning approach to othersubjects

He got a C in Math andScience and a B in History!



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Lets look at some examples...


Stories inspired by Albert Banduras Social Learning Theory


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Tele-novellas and Radio-dramas narrating stories of model

behaviour have been very successful in bringing about socialchange like,

- radio drama, Taru, in India, about femalereproductive health

- radio drama, "Twende na Wakati," or "Let's Go withthe Times," in parts of Tanzania, about HIV and AIDS

- "Ven Conmigo," or "Come with Me," in Mexico, on adultliteracy



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Principles on which these stories are based (according to Bandura)


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Contrasting Role Models - positive, transitional and

negativeCharacters demonstrate how to manage set-backs or enlistsupport

Personal Relevance - from audience perspectiveAspirational Linkage (i.e. based on audiences aspirations)

Vicarious Motivators

Environmental Support - tell the audience what support isavailable for making the change and where to look for it



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To conclude...

Stories help a learner heroembark on a journey towards

What ispossible


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InnerConflicts

LearnersJourney Resolution

self-confidence and

understanding...

What is

Stories help a learner heroembark on a journey towards

What ispossible


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InnerConflicts

LearnersJourney Resolution

self-confidence and

understanding...

What is ...by creating inspiredmoments of learning thatcombine - ful l attention,enthusiastic interest andposit ive emotionalintensity.

Do you remember stor ies that made history come ali ve for you, or


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We can all learn from hearing stories - parables, moral tales, stories

of adventure...

We can also learn by telling stories - shar ing our own hard knocks oflife tales, that helps us make sense of our life situation (blogging for

catharsis!)

And, best of all, stor ies can make the learning exper ience a lot of fun

biographies that got you back on your fee t when you were down?

References


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References

Narrati ve Perspect ives on Adult Educat ion - Rossiter & ClarkSocial Intel ligence - Daniel Goleman

A Pri vate Universe - projects about misconceptions in Science

A Hero with a Thousand Faces - Joseph CampbellWikipedia - Panchtantra, Kohlberg, Aristotle and Freytag

Switch - Chip & Dan Heath

Lecture by Albert Bandura -ht tp://www.you tube.com/watch?v=xjIbKaSXM3A


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Author & Illustrator

Atul Pant

Learning (to the power of) Storytelling

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