Bookshelf

Storytelling Boosts Learning in the College Classroom

May 10, 2018 3826

“Stories have the power to bring all voices into the conversation in ways that other approaches may not be able to do,” says Scott F. Abernathy, associate professor at the University of Minnesota and author of the SAGE textbook, American Government: Stories of a Nation.

College professors are always looking for ways to help their students feel more engaged and invested in course material. With students coming from an increasingly diverse range of backgrounds, beliefs and opinions, it’s not always easy to get a whole class excited about a given topic. Dr. Abernathy states that one strategy to effectively create such an environment is storytelling.

According to an article from CQ Press, “cognitive research and classroom evidence consistently support storytelling and the use of narrative as a valid teaching and learning strategy improving engagement, critical thinking and concept retention.” Storytelling gives context to facts and complex concepts that could otherwise be difficult to grasp. This in turn engages students in the curriculum and improves their retention of it. It can also foster further discussion of the topic, strengthened empathy and connection between students and professors and increased inclusion within the classroom.

Research shows that hearing stories even affects the chemical makeup of our brains. View the infographic below for a breakdown of why storytelling is so effective and tips on how to bring stories to your own classroom.


Brooke Stanley is studying journalism and French at California Lutheran University. She is an intern in the public relations and conventions team at SAGE Publishing.

View all posts by Brooke Stanley

Related Articles

New Report Finds Social Science Key Ingredient in Innovation Recipe
Investment
January 18, 2024

New Report Finds Social Science Key Ingredient in Innovation Recipe

Read Now
Too Many ‘Gray Areas’ In Workplace Culture Fosters Racism And Discrimination
Bookshelf
October 31, 2023

Too Many ‘Gray Areas’ In Workplace Culture Fosters Racism And Discrimination

Read Now
Harnessing the Power of Social Learning in Teaching Marketing
Bookshelf
July 13, 2023

Harnessing the Power of Social Learning in Teaching Marketing

Read Now
Report: Latest Academic Freedom Index Sees Global Declines
Bookshelf
June 28, 2023

Report: Latest Academic Freedom Index Sees Global Declines

Read Now
‘People Are Going to Seek the Things That Are Kept From Them’: An Interview with Danian Darrell Jerry

‘People Are Going to Seek the Things That Are Kept From Them’: An Interview with Danian Darrell Jerry

Danian Darrell Jerry is the co-editor, with Walter Greason, of a just-released book, Illmatic Consequences: The Clapback to Opponents of ‘Critical Race Theory’. […]

Read Now
Pandemic London – and the Future of Publishing?

Pandemic London – and the Future of Publishing?

Robert Dingwall discusses the book Breakable, which details the experiences of Sue Julians and her family in lockdown London

Read Now
Attacking Wicked Problems with Hip-Hop: An Interview with Walter Greason

Attacking Wicked Problems with Hip-Hop: An Interview with Walter Greason

Social Science Space caught up with Walter Greason to discuss hisjourneys, the new book ‘Illmatic Consequences’ he co-edited with Danian Darrell Jerry’, and the current political upheaval circling around the term ‘critical race theory.’

Read Now
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments