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Training with Stories
April 29, 2009
Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die,
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.
-Langston Hughes, From The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes
-Langston Hughes, From The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes
"Storytelling on just about any subject can provide personal perspectives for training purposes by validating individual histories, experiences, skills, achievements, and heartbreaks. Stories provide an emotional framework and basis that speaks to the subject. Stories become a thread that ties the learning together. Besides, we like to hear stories. And some of us like to tell stories. No matter, stories are about sharing human experiences no matter how significant, poignant, funny, or inspiring.
"However, just like any good storytelling, this training process takes the skills of a true learning facilitator. It requires spinning and using the stories for the purpose of learning. The facilitator needs to have timing, suspense, admiration, respect, humor, and patience in order to make the stories come alive and real. And always keep in mind the intention and purpose for sharing the stories. Most importantly, participants need to know that there is value to their ‘little’ story and that it can contribute to a greater perspective on learning principles.
"Participants will most likely remember the shared stories and not a PowerPoint® ‘show’ or details of a well researched presentation. The stories taken back will remain a living testimony for practical and useful information, learning, and practice. Let the stories flow!"
Exchange, in conjunction with Lakeshore Learning Materials, is conducting a survey on effective training techniques in early childhood settings. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take five minutes and give us your feedback on training. Lakeshore will award $50 gift certificates to ten randomly selected people who complete the survey prior to May 6. Click here to go to the survey now.
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ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
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Comments (1)
Displaying 1 CommentWheelock College
Lincoln, MA, United States
This is a very important point for our field, since we really do care about how people learn, not just what we try to teach them. I try to think of a story to tell whenever someone asks me a question; the story is often the answer. For a long time, I wasn't sure whether
I wasn't just viewed as a long-winded
egotist, since usually the story that come to mind is something that caused me to learn something. I found that what really works is that, when the occasion makes it possible, to go immediately from the story to getting people to reflect on something similar in their own lives, and to share those reflections. We learn best of all when we learn together.
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