21 April 2012

Storytelling as an Instuctional Method

Stories are a natural mode of thinking; they have powerful and effective impact on people. Storytelling is a traditional instructional method that has been recognised for centuries and until today. It is an art or craft of organising and transmitting information, teaching morals and implementing life lessons.

 Mastering the skills of retelling stories is a gift; those skills are manifest through usage of :
  • Facial expressions
  • Gestures
  • Tone and voice
  • Dialogue
  • Repetition
  • Exaggeration
Characteristics of a good story or elements of a well structured story are:
  • A single theme
  • Vivid word pictures
  • A well developed plot
  • Pleasing sounds
  • Dramatic appeal
  • Memorable characters
Classroom Implementations:
Storytelling is a tool adopted, developed and recommended by teachers and educators in order to manage classrooms, engage students and grasp their attention. The strengths of such tool make it :
  • Applicable to all ages and subjects
  • Provide a structure for remembering course material
  • Grasping and engaging students' attention
  • Create interest in subject-matter
  • Familiar and accessible form of sharing information

3 comments:

  1. In my opinion story is very important factor because it attracts the students and refreshes their knowledge specially when it related to their real life so it increases their involvement and motivation while discussing any topic.

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  2. "Thought flows in terms of stories -- stories about events, stories about people, and stories about intentions and achievements. The best teachers are the best storytellers. We learn in the form of stories." Frank Smith

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  3. There are festivals held around the world for story telling. One of the interesting festivals is held in Teharn. Check the link. it might give some ideas on type of stories and tellers: http://www.kanoonintl.com/?p=4935

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