Engaging Your Students Through Narration

Rhonda D. Blackburn, PhDUniversity of Texas at Dallas

Think!

• Think of a course.• How would you ground this in reality?

Objectives

• Discuss how I improved my course using narrative course design.

• Redesign a course.

EHRD 475Multimedia Development for

Training and Instruction

• Started teaching in Fall 2002– Traditional face-to-face class– Moved online Fall 2003– Changed assessments Fall 2004– Changed in Fall 2008 using narrative design

Moving Forward

• How did I teach the class?

Welcome to B&B Enterprises

• All students are new HR Directors• I am the VP of Training and Development• There is a face-to-face orientation

Modules

• Analysis• Synchronous training• Audio training• Demonstration training• Design and Development• Manual training

Activities

• Content• Quiz• Learning Circle• Activity• Journal

Changes - Content

• Started - information and directions• Ended – memos and other resources

Changes - Quizzes

• Stayed the same.

Changes – Learning Circles

• Started – collaboration between classmates• Ended – collaboration between co-workers,

real world scenarios

Changes – Activities

• Started – they picked a company• Ended – I hired them!

Changes – Journal

• Started – reflecting on work• Ended – reflecting on work and how it impacts

their environment

Why Narrative Course Design?

• Relevant• Real world• Interesting• Increases levels of engagement

Example of course materials

Syllabus

Syllabus Mandates

B&B Introduction

Training Example

Let’s have you design!

• What is the course?• How will you ground it in reality?• What are the activities?• What can you do to make it more meaningful?

Thank you!

Rhonda D. Blackburn, PhDAssociate ProvostOffice of Educational EnhancementUniversity of Texas at Dallas972-883-6963rblackburn@utdallas.edu