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Engaging Your Students Through NarrationRhonda D. Blackburn, PhDUniversity of Texas at Dallas

2Think!Think of a course.How would you ground this in reality?

ObjectivesDiscuss how I improved my course using narrative course design.Redesign a course.

EHRD 475Multimedia Development for Training and InstructionStarted teaching in Fall 2002Traditional face-to-face classMoved online Fall 2003Changed assessments Fall 2004Changed in Fall 2008 using narrative design

5Moving ForwardHow did I teach the class?

6Welcome to B&B EnterprisesAll students are new HR DirectorsI am the VP of Training and DevelopmentThere is a face-to-face orientation

ModulesAnalysisSynchronous trainingAudio trainingDemonstration trainingDesign and DevelopmentManual training

ActivitiesContentQuizLearning CircleActivityJournal

Changes - ContentStarted - information and directionsEnded memos and other resources

10Changes - QuizzesStayed the same.

11Changes Learning CirclesStarted collaboration between classmatesEnded collaboration between co-workers, real world scenarios

12Changes ActivitiesStarted they picked a companyEnded I hired them!

13Changes JournalStarted reflecting on workEnded reflecting on work and how it impacts their environment

14Why Narrative Course Design?RelevantReal worldInterestingIncreases levels of engagement

Example of course materials

Syllabus

Syllabus Mandates

B&B Introduction

Training Example

Lets 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