Storytelling as a Pedagogical Strategy in Online Classrooms

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Smruti Patnaik

Independent Researcher

India

Abstract

Storytelling has long been recognized as an effective pedagogical strategy in traditional classrooms, yet its transition into online learning environments has only recently begun to be explored in depth. This manuscript investigates how structured narratives can be intentionally designed and implemented in virtual courses to enhance student engagement, deepen conceptual comprehension, and foster a sense of community. Drawing on constructivist and socio‑cultural theories, we developed and deployed multimedia storytelling modules—comprising animated narratives, interactive decision‑making scenarios, reflective writing prompts, and collaborative story workshops—within three fully online undergraduate courses: Introduction to Psychology, Computer Programming Fundamentals, and Environmental Science. A total of 150 students were randomly assigned to either storytelling‑enhanced or traditional lecture sections, with engagement, comprehension, and satisfaction measured through validated scales, assessments, and focus group interviews. The quantitative results revealed statistically significant improvements in all engagement subscales (skills, emotional, participation, performance) and comprehension scores for the storytelling groups, while qualitative analysis highlighted themes of immersive learning, emotional resonance, peer connection, and learner agency. These findings illuminate how digital narratives can recreate the socio‑emotional benefits of face‑to‑face instruction, leverage multimedia affordances to personalize learning pathways, and reduce feelings of isolation. By presenting detailed design principles and instructional guidelines, this study offers a practical roadmap for educators seeking to integrate storytelling into online curricula. Ultimately, the research underscores storytelling’s potential to transform virtual classrooms into dynamic, interactive learning communities that support both cognitive and affective dimensions of student success.

Keywords

Storytelling; Online Learning; Engagement; Instructional Design; Narrative Pedagogy

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