Twitter:@kkapp

Tools of Engagement:  Storytelling, Audience Response Systems, and 

Learning Science

By Karl M. KappApril 2014

Storytelling

Researchers have found that the human brain has a natural affinity for 

narrative construction.

Yep, People tend to remember facts more accurately if they encounter them in a story rather than in a list.

And they rate legal arguments as more convincing when built into narrative tales rather than on legal precedent.

Carey, B. (2007) this is Your Life (and How You Tell it). The New York Times. Melanie Green http://www.unc.edu/~mcgreen/research.html. Chapter 2 “The Gamification of Learning and Instruction. 

1. Characters

Story Elements

5. Conclusion

2. Plot (something has to happen).

3. Tension

4. Resolution

Let’s Get Started

meet Hir O’ Winn…(read Heroine) 

an accomplishedProfessionalTeam PlayerHospital Administrator

Slated for Promotion

Too  Basic…

Too Advanced…

Too Late…

Sorry, had you on mute, could you repeat the 

question.

meet Ann Tagonist…

an accomplished

ProfessionalTeam PlayerMember of the OrganizationMember of Learning and Development Organization

Won Training AWARDS

an accomplished

ProfessionalTeam PlayerMember of the OrganizationMember of Learning and Development Organization

Won Training AWARDSNumerous

They both work for…

Big Hospital

Ann’s Job is to create training

E‐learning

Training Manuals

Classroominstruction

Ann created a great library of

courses …

Ann Is… FrustratedStill

Hir O’ Winn… won’t take any classes Ann

Develops

DUH!DUH!

Scary problems…

Timing Issue …

Packaging Problem …

Transfer Problem …

I am frustrated

So am I. 

I Got It!

Self Serve Model …

Real‐timeaccess to people

Quick question

BroadcastingThoughts andOpinions

SendingYourself 

Reminders.

Mentoring

Reach across silos of information

Answering one questionleads to more questions

Clarification of Terms

Tips and Techniques

Advice from Veteran

Employees

Frequently Asked Questions

Posting/Collection ofof ValuableResources

Listing of Internal Experts

Hir Learns when and how she

wants and gets Promoted…

Ann Tagonist… Becomes CLO

Profits

Increase…

Now let’s begin implementingSelf-Serve Learning…

The End

Let’s Examine the Elements of the Visual 

Story

Parts of a  Story…

Stories needCharacters…

Stories need Plot…

What is happening…

Stories need Tension…

Stories need Resolution…

Stories need Conclusion…

1. Characters

Stories Need

5. Conclusion

2. Plot (something has to happen).

3. Tension

4. Resolution

Character Development who is this?

BackgroundOne of the audience membersSuccessful, Confident

Use Characters to set mood and tone.

Blended Bullets

Connect with a habit of the audience

Additional Character Adds Tension

Link individual and corporate needs…

Graphical Bullets

Image conveys message of old and 

outdated approach …

Why? is Ann frustrated …

Why? Won’t she take classes …

Now we provide an answer…

Sort of …

Visual Metaphor…

Visual Comparison …

Individual

Frustration…

More individual

Frustration…

Everybody is Frustrated…

Moment of Calm…

Realization of Solution…

The Resolution…

Happy Conclusion…

Call to Action…

Story Type Goal of StoryExpressive Teach content or convey existing 

information. 

Strategic Promote certain ways of working or thinking—cultural shifts.

Reflective Captures complexities embedded within a situation or points out absurdities of a current state of affairs. 

Transformative Describe a possible new future or a new way of operating.

Alterio,  Maxine & McDrury, Janice. Learning Through Storytelling in Higher Education: Using Reflection and Experience to Improve Learning. Routledge. 2003.

Become a Story Connoisseur—Observe how movie makers, television directors, and novelists craft stories. 

Ask to Hear Stories—When debriefing a person providing information for a course, ask for stories illustrating key 

points. 

Ask Story Questions—Stories follow a structure, ask structured questions around which stories are built.

Storytelling Exercise

Craft a brief story (2 paragraphs) to convey an instructional objective.

Handout

Let’s Play

Fact or Fishy…Example  One:

Rules• A statement is presented

– Choose the best response

• Text Keyword Response:– To 37607

Take out your text‐machines

Standard Texting Fees Apply! 

Two Teams

teama teamb

How To Respond via Texting

1. Polleverywhere has no access to your phone number2. Capitalization doesn’t matter, but spaces and spelling doTIPS

Amaze

Inamaze

alright

Amaze

First decision about this dragon slaying game is how to start the game…what

should the players first in-game experience be?

Example  Two:

You have two choices:

Tell the player three things he/she needs to know about slaying dragons.

or

Begin with a fight between the player and a small, dangerous dragon.

Why does this answer make sense?

Not Sure?

Good game designers know that games are engaging because they require action

right away.

Action draws in the player and encourages further engagement. Start

by battling a dragon.

Research indicates that learners who used interactive games for learning had the greater cognitive gains over learners provided with traditional

classroom training.

Vogel, J. J., Vogel D.S., Cannon‐Bowers, J., Bowers, C.A., Muse, K., & Wright, M. (2006). Computer gaming and Interactive simulations for learning: A meta‐analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 34(3), 229‐243. 

What is the right next step? 

A. Check the patient for unresponsiveness. 

B. Push down on the center of the chest. 

C. Call for assistance. 

Example  Three

C. Call for assistance. 

People are motivated when they have autonomy, mastery and relatedness.

Interactivity motivates learners because…

That’s called Self‐Determination Theory

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The 'what' and 'why' of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self‐determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227‐268

Here is a recap…1) Stories are powerful tools for learning 

(character, plot, tension, resolution, conclusion)

2) Construct the right type of story (Expressive, Strategic, Reflective, Transformative)

3) Create interactivity with audience response software (True/False, Forced Decision and Branching)