In mobile learning, the narrative style can be a useful tool for learning.
The increasing use of mobile phones in our day-to-day lives has also made them an important tool for education and training. In corporate settings as well as classrooms, storytelling has the potential to be an effective learning intervention. It has a long-lasting effect and helps people remember more by telling stories.
Storytelling has been shown scientifically to alter brain chemistry and, when done well, can result in strengthened relationships and acts of kindness. Can this effective method of instruction be used for mobile learning delivery? We must first take into account that stories can be told in many different ways, not just in the traditional text-based narrative, before we can investigate various options. Depending on the preferences of the learners and the goals of the learning, a variety of storytelling styles can be used together to create a mix that works for them.
Graphic novels or stories based on graphics can be created to ensure that the story’s essence is not lost for students who prefer visual learning. A comic that lightens up serious subjects can be created to keep things light and casual. Stories can also be told through the representation of statistics, charts, or maps. Stories can also be made for students who don’t like to read by combining music and visuals. To achieve maximum impact, the developer may choose to combine one or more options rather than strictly following one.
Instead of using the conventional method to create stories for the mobile platform, it is preferable to take routes that are better suited to the platform. In comparison to desktop or laptop computers, mobile devices have smaller screens. As a result, a text-based strategy might not have enough of an impact. Instead, a strategy that incorporates graphics or audiovisuals would be more appropriate for the m-learning platform:
– Stories that present a quest for learners to follow based on a set of missions can be included in mobile games.
– For maximum impact, stories can be shared as case studies with figures and findings highlighted.
– Stories told through video can also be very effective at engaging mobile learners. When the student no longer wants to stare at the screen, an audio track can also run along these videos to provide the option of just hearing.
Blogs can also include stories and real-world experiences that will pique the interest of students of all types. The blog can offer the option of “subscribing,” which ensures that students receive immediate notifications whenever new content is posted.
The mobile platform supports story-based video blogs as well. Like textual blogs, students can subscribe to them and receive notifications via email or text message on their mobile devices whenever new videos are uploaded. This ensures that students are subtly pushed toward learning over time until they truly enjoy and are interested in learning videos.
