Storytelling applied to training

Abstract

Storytelling is an innovative pedagogical approach that has the potential to engage learners in student-centered learning, and improve the learning outcomes across the curriculum. It enhances learner’s motivation, providing them with a learning environment conducive for communication, reflection, construction, and collaboration. When combined with the latest technologies, storytelling has the potential to be used in all setting, including formal, non-formal and informal education settings as well as work environment (in medical practice - Heiney, 1995; Chelf et al., 2000; in human resources and knowledge management – Swap, 2001; Sole, 2002). Digital storytelling involves combining narrative with digital content to create a short movie. Digital stories can include interactive movies with highly produced audio and visual effects or presentation slides with narration or music. Some learning theorists believe that as a pedagogical technique, storytelling can be effectively applied to nearly any subject. Constructing a narrative and communicating it effectively require one to think carefully about the topic and the audience's perspetive. Growing up with unprecedented access to technology has changed the way young people, “digital natives”, communicate, interact, process information, and learn (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005). Although future teachers may hold strong positive beliefs about technology and may be proficient with a variety of software applications they may be unable to translate this knowledge to their teaching. According to the European Internet Foundation the key to adequately preparing learners for life in a digital world is to “redesign education itself around participative, digitally-enabled collaboration within and beyond the individual educational institution”. They predict that by 2025 this will have become the dominant worldwide educational paradigm. Personalisation, collaboration and informal learning will be at the core of learning in the future (EU Report, 2011: “The Future of Learning: Preparing for Change”). The increased pace of change will bring new skills and competences to the fore, in particular generic, transversal and cross-cutting skills. Most importantly, EU traditional E&T institutions – schools and universities, vocational and adult training providers – will need to reposition themselves in the emerging learning landscape. They will need to experiment with new formats and strategies for learning and teaching to be able to offer relevant, effective and high quality learning experiences in the future (Redecker, C. et al., 2011). With the evolution of ICT, personalized learning and individual mentoring will become a reality and teachers/trainers will need to be trained to exploit the available resources and tools to support tailor-made learning pathways and experiences which are motivating and engaging, but also efficient, relevant and challenging. T-Story project intends to promote a wider use of the Storytelling and Digital Storytelling in education and training at all levels (formal, non-formal and informal) throughout Europe by developing a digital course to educators, teachers and trainers. T-Story will foster teachers/educators/trainers knowledge and skills development by using digital storytelling technique – learn storytelling through storytelling. The target groups will have the opportunity to learn and train how to implement the technique and how to engage their students/trainees taking advantage of the digital potential.