Digital Storytelling in e-Learning

THE SKINNY
A recent article from elearnmag.org offers the perspective that storytelling is now prevalent and possible to support online learning. I would argue, however, that storytelling was always a good tool to support learning, but it has not been fully leveraged by instructional designers. New media may be new, but storytelling is not.

THE STORY
Nalin Sharda's recent article argues:

"The power of storytelling as a pedagogical tool has been recognized from time immemorial, and, in recent times, for e-learning as well (Neal, 2001). Many educational programs in engineering and information and communication technology (ICT) are facing numerous challenges in attracting and retaining students (Denning and McGettrick, 2005). The solution to some of these challenges lies in creating innovative programs, with innovative content and pedagogy based on digital storytelling (Sharda (1), 2007)."

"With advancements in digital audio and video capture technology and editing software, digital storytelling is becoming a part of modern life, making it easier to create innovative e-learning content presented as digital stories. Such innovative content can not only make courses more attractive, but can also lead to deep learning."

(To view the full article, visit: http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=120-1)

THE SCORE
I don't know Sharda or his background, but I would argue that the "solution" has always been to create innovative programs using storytelling and media support and illustration whenever possible. Traditional training or e-Learning has fallen down, in my opinion, because content rather than learner engagement has been king.

Typical Instructional Designers, in my experience, have been more focused on teaching the content than on engaging the learners in the content - - or better yet - - the experience of the content. This is one of the lessons Thiagi (Sivasailam Thiagarajan) teaches about course design. He tells Instructional Designers to start with the activities, not the content when designing e-Learning programs.

E-mail Obsession

THE SKINNY
How much e-mail is enough, and do I control it or does it control me?

THE STORY
A friend on mine recently confessed on Facebook: "I have an obsession of constantly checking emails when @ my computer. I learned @ a Franklin Covey seminar a couple years ago that this is a terrible time waster. FC recommended checking emails only 2-3 times daily (morning, lunch, evening). I can't do that. But I've been setting my phone alarm for a few days to only check emails every 45-60 mins. Even this can be hard! But it's working. I feel more productive."

THE SCORE
Like any obsession or addiction (coffee, drugs, e-mail) we have to decide who's going to run the show - - me or them? I think it's not just about good time management but deciding and disciplining ourselves about what is enough. In the world of Facebook and mobile devices we now live in, I think there is a latent fear everyday that we're missing something if we're not constantly connected. Just because we CAN be connected all the time, do we have to be connected all the time? This is a question each of us needs to answer for ourselves to find peace and balance in our lives in this fast-moving information age. As my friend illustrates above, sometimes all it takes is making a simple agreement with yourself and sticking to it.