Narratives

Narratives work!!!

It's amazing how telling a story evokes emotion and makes us remember what is said. I still remember stories my grandpa used to tell me when I was little. And what's funny is I remember the lesson he teaching me, too. I think if a person wants to make an impact stories are the way to do it.

However, I think there is some limitation to narratives. I think they work on most concepts. Although, if an instructor were to tell a story for every little item then it would take forever to get through a chapter or article. But if the instructor used the narratives to define an overall theme or keys points in the chapter then it would work effectively.

For example, if I were teaching Emotional Contagion (like I told a narrative about in class) I would use my story to show how emotional contagion works and what it is. I wouldn't then tell another story to show different types of emotion in emotional contagion. I think I were to do that it would make the narrative not seem as important. So I think it's essential for an instructor to use narratives strategically in their lessons. If they do then the stories will work!

Challenge: Make sure the story relates, and make sure it is used in the right place and right time during the lesson.