14/07/22, 16:28 Telling Stories in Learning: Tips for Using Storytelling in Adult Learning

Posted byCaveo Learning ● July 24, 2019

Telling Stories in Learning: Tips for

Using Storytelling in Adult Learning
Good Stories are Engaging
I am a sucker for a good story. When I was a kid, I would get so immersed
in a book that I would hide under my covers at night and read
Services 
via
flashlight.
Fast forward to adulthood, and I am a LearningApproach
Consultantwho regularly
uses stories in my deliverables. My hope is that a good story will
captivate my audience, help content resonate,Resources
and make learning

stick.
Scenarios and animations are two of my favoriteAboutways touse
storytelling in adult learning.
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Good Stories are Relatable
Tailor your story to your audience members by creating
characters that are relatable. When a learner can relate
to a character, they will feel better connected and
develop an understanding of the experience of your
character.

Good Stories are Conversational

Write dialogues that are conversational in tone, using language that your learners would actually say to a
coworker. Consider using contractions and slang to help make the conversation more authentic. Make
sure to use acronyms and terms that employees say within the organization. Read your dialogues out
loud to confirm they sound like natural conversation.
Good Stories are Personal
Do not be afraid to share personal stories that include failures and lessons learned. Personal stories that
come from the heart tend to resonate with learners and give them a safe space to learn what to do (or
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14/07/22, 16:28 Telling Stories in Learning: Tips for Using Storytelling in Adult Learning

not to do). After all, it is safer—and much more fun—to

learn from the mistakes of others than it is to fail by 
yourself.
Good Stories are Memorable
Start by coming up with a strong hook and ending, then
focus on storyboarding the various elements that will
help make your story memorable. Add conflict to make your characters human. Think about how you
will visually depict your story. Determine whether you will tell you story all at once or weave it
throughout the learning deliverable.
Good Stories are Simple
Read and reread your story, editing yourself along the way. Ask others to review your story and help
tweak it to make it simple yet engaging, relatable, conversational,
Services 
personal, and memorable.
Good Stories
Approach  are Fun
Consider centering
Resources 
your story around a theme, such as
superheroes. Have fun creating learning activities that
tie
Aboutbackto your theme. For example, provide badges
(such as superhero powers or a cape) for successfully
completing
Contact Us knowledge checks, and use villains to give
negative feedback when learners answer questions
incorrectly. When you have fun telling your story, learners will enjoy completing your training.

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