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NY Library Sketch book project?

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Storybird

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Storybird - Read, write, discover, and share the books you'll always remember.

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Become a better writer with Storybird's creativity tools. Online courses, challenges, and reader feedback will help you improve your writing.

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How can  be taught collaboratively not in isolation?

How is  this connected to the curriculum?

What can we name the project so all of the librarians can use it?

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Creative story writing: Engaging students through creativity.

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FOR A UNI ASSIGNMENT!!! I might as well leave it up here now, it adds some intelligence to my channel... Here in Australia the school curriculum is currently undergoing some changes to establish a national curriculum. The Arts and creativity have been recognized as an important and integral part of learning.

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Lessons that teach the importance of listening and speaking impeccably for understanding.

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Communication.
Communication.

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What is on rubric to work with? What is on the report card that is measured

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What is on rubric to work with? What is on the report card that is measured

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What does this look like?

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How do you tell your story?
Who are you?
What do you do?
How do you learn?
How is this connected to learning in school?

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What is learning through storytelling?

Learning through storytelling refers to a process in which learning is structured around a narrative or story as a means of 'sense making'. It involves the use of personal story and anecdotes to engage learners and share knowledge. Stories are everywhere in human life and can be termed narrative, case study, life history, myth, anecdote, legend, scenario, illustration or example, storytelling and/or critical incident. 'Stories' can be 'told' in many ways - spoken, written, filmed, mimed, acted, presented as cartoons and/or as new media formats (Moon 2010).

Where does learning through storytelling come from?

The art of storytelling has always been an essential part of being human. Before the advent of the written word, storytellers were viewed as special members of society. Storytelling was viewed as a vocation and storytellers were required to develop skills in the appropriate use of language, communicating with impact, insight and sensitivity. In addition, storytellers were required to develop their memory and visualisation skills and use these skills to paint a picture in the mind of their audience, a picture through which they might simplify complex issues, enhancing their accessibility and meaning (Egan 1989). In some communities, the appointment of the leader was "based largely on their proficiency as a storyteller" (Parkin 1998).

Although educators have always used storytelling as a way of sharing information and helping their learners to make sense of issues, until recently these stories often occurred spontaneously and were considered too lightweight to be integral to learning and teaching activities (McDrury and Alterio 2002). However, with the growing awareness of the need for reflection within learning, and the recognition that meaningful links need to be created between theory and practice, the potential for learning through storytelling is beginning to be recognised (Clandinin and Connelly 1990; McDrury and Alterio 2002; Pendlebury 1995; and Witherell and Nodding 1991). Storytelling is now being used in a reflective, creative and formalised manner to facilitate learning within the realms of science, medical training, in business schools and executive education as well as in the more obvious realms of English, Languages, Arts and Drama. Anthropologist, Peg Neuhauser, describes how

stories allow a person to feel, and see, the information, as well as factually understand it ... because you 'hear' the information factually, visually and emotionally, it is more likely to be imprinted on your brain in a way that it sticks with you longer, with very little effort on your part. (Neuhauser 1993, p.4)

How does storytelling work?

The essential components of a story (McAdam 1993; Ganz 2010) are:

character(s);

a plot - beginning, middle and end;

a challenge;

a choice;

a resolution.

Stories are effective tools for learning due to their ability to facilitate the following cognitive processes: i) concretizing, ii) assimilation, and iii) structurizing (Evans and Evans 1989).

i) Concretizing - stories help us to make sense of what might otherwise be an abstract or complex subject through the provision of links with tangible, or concrete, examples. For example, the story of the impact of the market upon healthcare can provide a concrete example of marketization within the public sector, something which may otherwise seem hard to conceive of.

ii) Assimilation - learning is a constant process of integrating new information with current information and cognitive structures (cf. 'scaffolding' and Piaget's stages of learning). The use of a story, particularly a well-known story, or one to which everyone can relate, can be an effective way of introducing a new topic to learners, or enabling them to see earlier information through a new perspective. For example, the scene from Alice in Wonderland, where Alice meets the Cheshire Cat and asks for directions is a familiar story which can take on a new perspective if introduced to us as adults within the framework of 'goal setting'.

iii) Structurizing - the use of stories in teaching can support students in applying the concepts they have been taught to use in other situations, not directly related to the initial context (Parkin 1998). Simons (1984) explored the power of story for teaching complex subjects such as electricity. He tested 61 students and followed the teaching with 40-item, multiple choice tests. The results of Simon's study found that teaching using stories led to improved performance in all students, with those who learnt from story having a more tangible grasp of the topic, and of the relationship between concepts, than those whose learning did not involve story.

Where is it currently being used?

Learning from storytelling is gaining in popularity in a number of areas. In the realm of executive education and leadership development, storytelling is gaining increasing credence as part of the discipline of "leadership as performance" (Peck and Dickinson 2009) and forms a central part of leadership development within the public sector, for example, the NHS Leadership Academy Nye Bevan and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programmes. See: http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/programmes/elizabeth-garrett-anderson-programme/
'Digital storytelling' - that is, the construction of short stories through the use of programmes which combine photographs or other visual material with audio or text content - has been used to good effect within higher education and reflects the growing use of new technologies to assist with learning. Notable examples include a project, run in collaboration between Sheffield Hallam University Faculty of Health and Wellbeing and Pilgrim Projects Limited in Cambridge, in which students supported health and social care users in making digital stories, with a reported improvement in self-esteem and confidence ( www.patientvoices.org.uk).

Internationally, storytelling has been utilised as a means of developing literacy with aboriginal youth in Canada (McKeogh et al. 2008).

How do I get started with this topic?

The new HEA knowledge hub is a good place to start and offers various resources linked to learning through storytelling and related content.

Stories come in many shapes and forms and can serve a variety of purpose, so it is important to choose your story well. Some questions you may wish to consider before starting include the following:

1. Is storytelling the most compelling and memorable way for this group of students to learn about this topic and if so, why?

2. What form of storytelling best suits the students' learning needs and objectives?

3. What outcomes do I want this group of students to achieve?

4. Will these outcomes be assessed, and if so, how?

5. What forms of support are needed?

6. How can confidentiality and anonymity issues be addressed?

7. Whose story do you want to use? Your own? A fictional story? A story from practice? The student's story?

8. What is the key lesson that you wish your story to convey?

9. Do you have time to plan your story or would a spontaneous story fit the time and purposes more effectively?

Where can I learn more?

Maxine Alterio's guide to the use of storytelling on the Higher Education Academy (HEA) website provides an excellent introduction to the subject. In addition, there are a number of websites relating to storytelling and its use in education and these are also listed below.

What other topics might I find interesting?

Action learning

Collaborative learning

What HEA resources should I take a look at?

Alterio, M. (2003). Using Storytelling to Enhance Student Learning. Higher Education Academy: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/id471_using_storytelling_to_enhance_learning

How else can the HEA support my professional development?

The UKPSF provides the framework for recording aspects of professional practice where Maker Culture could be included. Find out more about UKPSF.

Come to a HEA event to share your experiences with your peers - See https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/events-conferences

In your social media share your experiences of Maker Culture - you can tweet about it and include the #HEA to share it with those following the tag, or perhaps you can submit a guest blog posting through us. See https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/blog

References:

Boje, D. (2001) Narrative Methods for Organizational and Communication Research. Sage Publications: London

Bruner, J. (1986) Actual Minds; Possible Worlds, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

Clandinin, D. J. and Connelly, F. M. (1990). Stories of Experience and Narrative Inquiry. Educational Researcher. 19 (5), 2-14.

Denning, S. (2004) Telling Tales. Harvard Business Review, 82 (5), 122-29.

Egan, K. (1989) Memory, Imagination, and Learning: Connected by the Story. Phi Delta Kappan 70 (6), 455-59.

Ganz, M. (2010) Leading Change: Leadership, Organization and Social Movements. In Nohria, N., Khurana, R. (eds.) The Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice, Danvers: Harvard Business School Press, pp. 509-50.

McDrury, J., Alterio, M. (2003) Learning through Storytelling in Higher Education. London: Routledge

McKeough, A., Bird, S., Tourigny, E., Romaine, A., Graham, S., Ottmann, J. and Jeary, J. (2008). Storytelling as a Foundation to Literacy Development for Aboriginal Children: Culturally and Developmentally Appropriate Practices. Canadian Psychology. 49 (2), 148-153.

Mattingly, C. (1990) Narrative Reflections on Practical Actions in D. Schon (ed.) The Reflective Turn New York: Teachers College Press.

Moon, J. (2010). Using Story in Higher Education and Professional Development. London: Routledge

Neuhauser, P. (1993) Corporate Legends and Lore: the Power of Storytelling as a Management Tool. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Peck, E. and Dickinson, H. (2009). Performing Leadership. Macmillan: BasingstokeSimons, P. R. J. (1984). Instructing with Analogies. Journal of Educational Psychology 76, 513-77.

Simmons, A. (2007) Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins: How to Use Stories to Communicate with Power and Impact. Saranac Lake, NY: American Management Association.

Witherell, C., Nodding, M (eds) (1991). Stories lives tell: Narrative and dialogue in education. New York: Teachers College Press.

Resource Type

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What is learning through storytelling? Learning through storytelling refers to a process in which learning is structured around a narrative or story as a means of 'sense making'. It involves the use of personal story and anecdotes to engage learners and share knowledge.

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Libraries promote reading writing and communicating skills.

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Communication
Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Creative problem solving
Digital Citizenship