storytelling in the classroom a key to student engagement

Storytelling in the ClassroomStorytelling in the ClassroomA Key to Student EngagementA Key to Student Engagement

Allan DolovichAllan Dolovich

College of EngineeringCollege of Engineering

University of SaskatchewanUniversity of Saskatchewan

My motivation.......My motivation.......

“The Crank Incident”

And more motivation.......

Prof. Thornton-TrumpProf. Thornton-Trump

Prof. StymeistProf. Stymeist

my teachers

My Objectives in Telling Stories.....

to make theory come aliveto make theory come alive

to inspire involvementto inspire involvement

to clarify complex ideasto clarify complex ideas

to provide memory triggersto provide memory triggers

to give “brain breaks”to give “brain breaks”

to make learning funto make learning fun

Story characteristics.....

area specific (engineering)area specific (engineering)

individual specific (Dolovich)individual specific (Dolovich)

student specific (Saskatchewan)student specific (Saskatchewan)

To make theory come alive.....

“Child on a Rope”

Play Center

To make theory come alive.....

“Child on a Rope”

Play Center

To make theory come alive.....

“Child on a Rope”

Play Center

To make mathematics come alive.......To make mathematics come alive.......

“The monkey story”

Mx = Ixxx – (Iyy-Izz)yz – Ixy(y-zx)

- Iyz(y2-z2) – Izx(z+xy)

My = Iyyy – (Izz-Ixx)zx – Iyz(z-xy)

- Izx(z2-x2) – Ixy(x+yz)

Mz = Izzz – (Ixx-Iyy)xy – Izx(x-yz)

- Ixy(x2-y2) – Iyz(y+zx)

Stories that inspire careful work.......Stories that inspire careful work.......

“The Gimli Incident”

Stories that inspire persistence.......Stories that inspire persistence.......

“The Box Kite”

Stories that inspire inquiry.......Stories that inspire inquiry.......

“The Steele Pitfall”

Stories that inspire clarity.......Stories that inspire clarity.......

“A Visit to Calgary”

Stories that project forward.......Stories that project forward.......

Stories that provide insight.......Stories that provide insight.......

“The Mud Slinger”

Stories that inspire safety.......Stories that inspire safety.......

“The Explosion”

In telling a story, be a aware of.....

tonetone

timingtiming

fit with teacherfit with teacher

fit with studentsfit with students

Pitfalls can include.....

trying too hard to be funnytrying too hard to be funny

unintentionally offending studentsunintentionally offending students

not “covering” as much of the coursenot “covering” as much of the course

But…..But…..

Stories create opportunity.......Stories create opportunity.......

“Seize the moment”

Additional stories include.....

The Domo gas blunder – everyone goofsThe Domo gas blunder – everyone goofs

CNC, NC, DNC – dig to the bottomCNC, NC, DNC – dig to the bottom

The blood donor – control the noiseThe blood donor – control the noise

Calculus, the income tax act, and respectCalculus, the income tax act, and respect

Principal stresses – spelling countsPrincipal stresses – spelling counts

And more stories.....

The tug of war – overcoming barriersThe tug of war – overcoming barriers

Jeffrey and the I-BeamJeffrey and the I-Beam

Fly little friend, be freeFly little friend, be free