Why Stories Matter
Storytelling is an ancient tradition. It's a powerful way to convey
information and share ideas. We all know how to listen to
stories—we've done it all our lives. But what's the best way to
tell stories? How do good storytellers touch us, and at times, persuade
and activate us?
Good storytellers:
- Engage us.
- Paint a picture.
- Use everyday language and authentic details.
- Forge a connection.
- Make us remember.
Only recently has storytelling been recognized as a powerful force
for organizational change. In The Springboard, Stephen Denning explains
how "springboard stories" enable listeners to grasp information simply,
quickly, and in a nonthreatening way. When a springboard story works
well, Denning explains, listeners mentally race ahead to imagine the
implications. They see how change is possible, and how this idea
connects to them.
Using Stories That Support Advocacy for Educational Technology
At the ISTE Leadership Symposium 2005, participants created an archive
of good stories to use as part of technology advocacy efforts.
Collectively, these stories paint a picture of why technology matters in
education, in a wide range of settings. These stories demonstrate how
technology transforms the learning experience-allowing us to do
something better or accomplish what we could not do otherwise, making a
difference for one student, a class, a teacher team, a school, a
district, or a community.
Imagine how you might use the stories in:
- a meeting with your school board
- presentations to parents or your business community
- an interview with a reporter
- testimony before your state legislature
- a face-to-face meeting with a legislator or staffer
Themes to Capture in Stories of Your Own
Use our Advocacy
Story Template (MS Word, 32 KB, Word Instructions) to write your own Ed Tech story.
When writing your story, avoid the whiz-bang factor of technology use, and focus
on these important themes:
- Transformation: How teaching and learning change for the better with
integration of technology
- Achievement: How technology influences academic success
- Connection: How technology use builds communities, fosters authentic
learning
- Motivation: How technology engages and inspires to enhance
learning
- Access: How technology opens doors and builds equity for diverse
populations, providing more opportunities to learn
| list of past technology advocacy efforts |
|
