The Heroic Classroom: Storytelling in the Blended Class

Dr. Bill Brantley, PMP

April 25, 2014

The Heroic Classroom – Storytelling in

the Blended Course

ENCE 424 – Project Management

Communications

• Divided class into three shifts of 30 to 35 students

• Lectures moved online (“Reading Notes”)

• Online weekly discussions (Reflection/Prime)

• Four individual speeches

• In-class small group discussions or activities

The Course as the

Hero’s Journey

Transformation of the

Student into a Master

Your Role as the Mentor:

Guided Experiences

Seven Basic Plots* Overcoming the Monster – Defeating a major

threat

The Quest – Travel through a dangerous land to

achieve a goal

Voyage and Return – Unexpected journey and

return which makes the voyager wiser

Comedy – Confusion and misunderstanding

Tragedy – Failure brought about by character flaws

Rebirth – Misfortune is lifted through heroic or good

deeds

Rags to Riches – Sudden success

*Stories That Move Mountains: Storytelling and Visual

Design for Persuasive Presentations

Games: Experiences

Linked by Story

Gamification Elements for

Designing Experiences (4)

Gamification Elements for

Designing Experiences (3)

te@chthought

Terry Heick

05/06/2013

Gamification Elements for

Designing Experiences (4)

te@chthought

Terry Heick

05/06/2013

Gamification Elements for

Designing Experiences (5)

Curricular Capabilities

Curricular Capabilities1)Critical Thinking

2)Self-Confidence

3)Peer Learning

4)Knowledge Management

Course Management Capabilities1)Discovery-Based Learning

2)360-Degree Out-of-Course

3)Knowledge Assets

4)Teach to Learn

Van Weigel

(2005)

“From Course Management

to Curricular Capabilities”

Structuring the Course

Online Discussions

In-Class Exercises

Final Project

Lessons Learned

• Begin with the desired end-goal knowledge, skills,

and abilities in mind.

• Map out the journey. Make it a mix of lectures (online),

discussion forums (online), and scenarios (online). In

class meetings: small group exercises (peer-to-peer

learning), role-playing, impromptu stories, and

scenarios. How does each contribute to the

transformation?

• What does the student bring to the beginning of the

journey? Create personas to help in course planning.

• Model the end-goal knowledge, skills, and abilities in

mind.

Stories in the

Online Lectures

Next Step: Revamping

Online Lectures

Dr. Bill Brantley, PMPbill@billbrantley.com