How do you make learning fun and engaging with storytelling?

Deep Narrative is how we change culture. If we want to transform societies deeply held beliefs that are biased, outdated, sexist, racist, misogynist etc, we need to change people’s deeply held beliefs. We can use language to shift the conversation, and key phrases to keep hammering home the message. Telling personal stories is how we start to loosen up these entrenched and harmful biases. The power of storytelling: it’s the power to change the world.

Storytelling in itself is really immersive as it indulges you deeply and makes you think from different perspectives, and when your senses are indulged, the learning becomes fun and stays with you. Whether it is aligning your employees with the company’s values, exploring new ways to engage with your customers, or making a science problem easier for your children, storytelling always works. I remember a case study where Airbnb used storyboarding used by Disney while making Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and this allowed them to delve deeper into understanding the perspectives of their customers and hosts. They realized that Airbnb is not just a website but a lot more. This paved the way for their highly interactive mobile application.

To make learning fun with storytelling, think of it like sharing exciting adventures instead of just facts. Storytelling matters because it helps us remember things better and makes learning more interesting. Use characters and examples that people can relate to, and try to add surprises or funny parts to keep it enjoyable. You can also involve everyone by discussing the story or doing activities related to it. This way, learning becomes like going on a fun journey, and it helps us understand and remember things in a way that's easy and enjoyable.

Storytelling is an enabler of exchange. Exchanging ideas. Exchanging energy. Exchanging motivation. All things that a good learning experience includes. Stories allow us to be human, simplifying complex elements into relatable and recallable anecdotes.

Our brain loves stories. It is a way that helps us to connect on a deeper level. Storytelling increases the oxytocin levels in our system, creating a loving and caring feeling. Did you know that our brains are wired to retain information in a more effective way when present in a narrative format? Yes, that is the way it works :) So, the next time you are sharing insights or knowledge, consider wrapping them in a captivating story. It is not only easier to understand but also leaves a lasting imprint on us

3 ways to craft your story. Leverage the 3-act story structure. Beginning, Middle & End. Bake in rhythms into your structure. Start on a high, get their attention, make them invested in the story and by design into your plot. Eventually showing a transformation or resolution of the conflict you introduced. Add memorable moments. Moments to remember and recall your story.

To craft a compelling story, start with a clear message or lesson you want to convey. Build your narrative around a relatable character who faces a challenge or embarks on a journey that mirrors the learning objectives. Incorporate elements of conflict, obstacles, and resolution to create tension and interest. Use vivid, sensory language to paint pictures in the minds of your audience, making your story immersive and memorable. Remember, a good story has a clear structure: beginning, middle, and end, with a coherent flow that guides the listener through the narrative.

As introduced in my new book - 28 Bags of Sprouts Storytelling With Impact ... I introduce the unique sprout model. This is your way to unlock the superpower - storytelling and craft a compelling story. . This can be applied to any communication scenario ... Made up of 6 layers (and 28 ingredients) .. follow them and your impact will improve significantly. In summary the 6 Layers are: 1. Impact - Define the impact that you wish your storytelling to make. 2. People - Know who you are storytelling to. 3. Start Point - Set the scene, introduce the context. 4. Main Event - showcase the event and the action. 5. End Point - Bring clarity and closure. 6. Nurture - Bring creativity and energy throughout your storytelling

Crafting a compelling story is akin to sculpting a masterpiece, each word a stroke of brilliance adding depth and texture. Begin with a captivating hook, drawing your audience into the narrative with intrigue. Develop rich characters and vivid settings, allowing your audience to immerse themselves in the tale. Infuse your story with conflict, for it is through adversity that we find growth and meaning. Finally, craft a resolution that resonates, leaving your audience enlightened and empowered.

To make learning fun and engaging with storytelling, it's essential to understand why storytelling matters. Craft a compelling story that resonates with your audience, adapt it to suit their interests and needs, deliver it effectively using engaging methods, and measure its impact to refine your approach further. Incorporating storytelling techniques can transform learning experiences, making them more memorable and enjoyable.

I find it helpful to make a long first draft of a story, capturing all possible anecdotes, details, and options, so I can easily outline multiple versions for different audiences and venues. Do all the idea capture in the beginning, and then edit and adapt multiple versions from there.

Stories hasten learning & evoke personal ties, notably when adapted to student pain points, fostering engagement & retention. ① CHARACTERS = STUDENT SURROGATES: Learners resonate with stories that could be theirs with characters that could be them—tell their story! ② CULTIVATE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION: Align stories with student experiences to evoke emotional bonds & enrich learning. They are more apt to learn when they're represented in the content. ③ ADAPT STORES EFFECTIVELY:  ☑︎ Know your audience & their interests, fears, & challenges.  ☑︎ Ensure characters reflect the diversity & reality of student life.  ☑︎ Stories must entertain while looping back to educational goals & serving learning objectives. Tell fab stories & have fun! 🖤

We need to know to whom we are talking and what their level of understanding is about the subject we are going to talk about. It is important to adapt the way of communicating to their level of understanding to make it easier for them to understand the story. Create examples that they can relate to, making it even easier to understand. Understanding your audience not only ensures clear communication but also strengthens the connection you build with them.

- it's beautiful to see the powerful aspect of storytelling and it's impact on our society - the way it's discerning heights and making advancements truly is powerful

Pick stories that would resonate with your audience. For example, stories that people can relate such as family, childhood, workplace, sports or vacation. It's also important to engage them throughout your story by asking if anyone has had similar experiences.

Study performances you enjoy in order to feel inspired and to explore the storytelling style that speaks to you. Comedic storytellers, like David Sedaris, are among my favorites. I've watched and admired his work and sought out more storytellers with similar approaches. From there, I find it helpful to workshop, practice, and perform as frequently as possible in order to receive feedback on my stories, keep improving upon them, and to gain confidence telling my stories effectively.

The delivery will come down to how you are communicating your storytelling, is it live, is it recorded, is it written, is it visual/audio etc etc In all cases nurture your delivery with creativity, energy and plenty of perspective. Think about humour too - the odd subtle placement timed will can act as an important moment of engagement and connection.

Telling a story in a way that makes the biggest impact possible is not simple. Your audience needs to believe in you and what you are saying. For this, the dynamics of using your voice and your body posture are extremely important. So, the only way to tell a story effectively is for you to tell it with authenticity and originality. If the story isn't yours, you must have studied it so much, to the point of actually having lived the story before telling it to someone else.

Delivery is the vessel through which the essence of your story is conveyed, carrying it across the sea of minds with clarity and impact. Embrace the power of voice modulation, gesture, and pacing, sculpting your delivery to evoke emotion and captivate attention. Maintain eye contact, inviting your audience into the intimacy of your narrative. Harness the power of multimedia and technology, enriching your storytelling experience with visuals and soundscapes that ignite the senses.

If you are telling the story in person to your audience, you can closely monitor their reactions. You will gain real insights on what intrigued them the most and also if your story achieved the result or not. When it comes to understanding the impact of your story based on certain metrics, you need to identify which metrics best represent your goals. Seeking feedback from a part of your audience can also highlight where you can improve.

Telling your story is not the end of the story. Basing your strategy around data & analytics is paramount for your success. Different actions = different things. Views - When they took the time to stop the scroll Likes - When they appreciate what you've put out Comments - When they have something to say about what you have to say Shares - When your audience want's others to witness what you are doing in real time UGC - User Generated Content happens when you audience wants to align with your brand and become a part of the story DMs - They are curious to connect with you or get more information. Website Clicks = They are curious to know what's behind the pay wall. What's your goal? Go live. Tell your people. See what they say!

The impact of a story echoes far beyond its final words, resonating in the hearts and minds of its listeners long after its conclusion. Utilize feedback mechanisms such as surveys, assessments, and audience engagement metrics to gauge the efficacy of your storytelling. Pay attention to qualitative indicators as well, observing shifts in attitudes, behaviours, and levels of engagement. A compelling story leaves an indelible mark, sparking conversations, inspiring action, and paving the way for transformation.

En un mundo en el que todo se consume tan deprisa, el storytelling es lo que hace que las personas se detengan a seguir escuchando para saber más. En tus formaciones puedes usar una historia, adecuada al "idioma" de tus alumnos, como recurso para atraer y mantener la atención. Durante el curso puedes ir recuperando algunas frases para traer de nuevo la imagen que creaste con tu Storytelling y así volver a poner el foco cuando observes distracciones entre tus oyentes. Una buena historia no solo motiva o inspira, si no que ayuda a asociar un aprendizaje y fijarlo para siempre en nuestra memoria.

"Have you ever noticed why the surface of the sea freezes but not the bottom? Do you know that if the bottom of the sea freezes, not only all sea creatures and plants, but even the Earth's biosphere may be destroyed?" This question probably engages the mind of every student and he will be eager to hear the answer; And this means a simple and attractive way to attract students to learn the discussion of density in physics and thermodynamics and to explain the exception of water in the field of density. This simple example reveals the importance of simplification in storytelling; That by telling stories you can make the most difficult lessons interesting for the most tired students.

Being genuine is crucial. Being yourself in every way. We connect more with the stories told by authentic individuals who acknowledge both their strengths and weaknesses. Clearly understanding your audience and writing in a way that makes everyone feel included is also key. It's important to recognize that the same story can be interpreted in many ways depending on the reader's current circumstances. Therefore, we must carefully choose how we communicate at all times.

When I get really comfortable with my storytelling, I'll seek out a new opportunity, venue, or audience, in order to challenge myself to adapt my material and keep improving upon it. The only way to get better is to seek out new challenges in order to stretch and grow.