Innovation Profile 061
Narrative engages the audience
People who work in television and film understand the power of narrative to engage their audience. Many teachers use narrative to engage their pupils but without explicitly understanding the techniques they are using.
TV-ROMs enable teachers to incorporate TV-style narrative in the learning environments they create. Perhaps this will help them realise how they could use stories more strongly in their teaching, in any subject.
Most people need a context for their learning. For example, the right context is critical to persuade girls to engage properly with science and for boys to engage properly with languages and books. The context provides the story which guides how you consider the topic you are learning.
In non-digital classrooms it has required considerable preparation to present stories powerfully through any other medium except the teacher themselves.
4Learning have created a number of 'TV-ROMs' that enable TV clips to be used, in class or autonomously by students. Demonstrations of their Clipbank TV-ROMs can be seen at http://www.channel4.com/learning/ - for science, geography and history. These provide much more than just the TV clips and they can be used in various ways.
A story to set a context for learning need not be long. A 30 second clip, perhaps of a charismatic politician exhorting their audience to follow their lead, or an animal catching food, can be enough. It can stimulate a learner's emotions and make them feel that they can relate to the topic.
Most good teachers have a real passion for their subject. Their passion comes from their knowledge of the importance of the subject's many different aspects. Passionate teachers can tell the story and set the context, but not every teacher is a charismatic presenter able to inspire their students to become similarly passionate.
Once ICT is effectively implemented in schools/colleges, teachers gain new ways to make inspiring narrative more powerful. The key is to realise what narrative has inspired you and then to find the very best ways to present the stories which will help your students energise their passion and emotion.
The 4Learning Company Profile on our web site will give you an overview of the company.
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If you know of examples of innovative use of ICT-for-learning that others would be interested in, please email innovations@eep-edu.org
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