Let’s face it, traditional learning methods are becoming obsolete. Retention of information through passive learning like reading, listening and seeing is most often forgot within 24 hours.
On the other hand, active learning like discussion by storytelling and practice by doing are far more efficient, with a retention rate that can reach 75% after 24 hours.
Good stories can contain multiple meanings so they’re surprisingly economical in conveying complex ideas in graspable ways.
Another storytelling aspect that makes it so effective is that it works for all types of learners.
Storytelling also helps with learning because stories are easy to remember. Organizational psychologist Peg Neuhauser found that learning which stems from a well-told story is remembered more accurately, and for far longer, than learning derived from facts and figures. Similarly, psychologist Jerome Bruner’s research suggest that facts are 20 times more likely to be remembered if they’re part of a story.
Kendall Haven, author of Story Proof and Story Smart, considers storytelling serious business for business. He has written:
Your goal in every communication is to influence your target audience (change their current attitudes, belief, knowledge, and behavior). Information alone rarely changes any of these. Research confirms that well-designed stories are the most effective vehicle for exerting influence.
As it immerses the learners into a concrete, believable and engaging scenario, it helps them gain knowledge through examples and encourages reflection and discussion. It helps the learners think about their past experience.
The information collected is also easier to remember as the learner can identify himself in the situation and reproduce later what he has heard, seen and learned, and by doing so, change his behavior, habits and attitudes.
Beyond the retention of information, storytelling forges connections among people, and between people and ideas. Stories convey the culture, history, and values that unite people. People are able to see themselves or people they know within the stories and often activate the same areas of the brain as the storyteller or person who lived the experience, making storytelling the next best thing to first hand knowledge.
As a trainers we obtain much of our own knowledge through the stories of our trainees and are able to share this knowledge with others by passing on these same stories to future trainees. Because of the sense of connection it also makes the session engaging and enjoyable for everyone, including the trainer.
At McCraren Compliance, we incorporate multiple methods of information sharing through activities, practice, examples and of course discussion. We believe that every class is filled with different experiences and expertise. We encourage sharing and topic relevant storytelling and therefore teach and learn ourselves in every class.
Check out our upcoming classes by viewing our online calendar. In addition to our regularly scheduled classes we offer many additional courses by request. So if a class you need is missing, email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com.