Why You Should Use Storytelling in Your eLearning

In eLearning, storytelling is the glue that makes lessons stick. 

Our ancient ancestors told stories to pass on historical facts and hard-earned truths. Using stories ensured the most important lessons would not be lost to time. Despite amazing developments in technology, our brains still learn as they did when knowledge passed down by word of mouth.

The human brain is wired to live vicariously through the character in a story, learning his lessons as if we had lived the experience. Our brains actually look for stories in content when trying to make sense of the information we see. By understanding how a story teaches memorable lessons, you can use storytelling training to help students retain new information more effectively. 

Creating Personal Interest in the Subject Matter 

How many times have you sat through a training session only to hear of material that did not apply to you? Or worse, the material was delivered so dryly that it was almost impossible to stay awake? Presented as a story, that same information becomes engaging to the listener, clarifying the focus of the lesson and making it relevant. As soon as the listener understands, “This could happen to you,” his or her attention grabs onto the information conveyed. 

Boosting Knowledge Retention 

By weaving important information into a story, the content becomes easier to remember. For example, creating a story about an employee who acted against the company’s best practices and presenting the consequences that employee faced as a result, you grab the learner’s attention. Once you have attention, you have greater retention. 

Making Information Relevant 

Not only does a story hold the learner’s attention more effectively, it can also help students see how the lesson applies to them in their daily practice at work. Using the story example presented, you would gain added benefits.

Use stories to generate discussion about the decisions made by the character, the result of the decisions, and further explore the possible consequences of the incident. The consequences could cover the effect on the character, colleagues, customers and the company. By doing this, one small story, designed to highlight an important piece of information in a session, becomes a powerful learning moment. 

Motivating Employees 

Stories can also be inspiring. They help students set goals and map the steps to achieving them. Telling attendees about a prior student who used information from the class to achieve a goal will invite learners to pay attention and learn how they can profit from the lesson and use it to shape their own destinies.

Because storytelling uses context, it creates a deeper understanding of the lessons taught. Use this technique in your lessons to engage, motivate and inspire your employees. 

Use Knowledge Anywhere’s training tools to engage your students with storytelling.

Knowledge Anywhere offers tools that streamline your eLearning course creation and management. Use our Course Buildertool with our LMS Servicefor a total eLearning solution. Contact us today!