Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is 'StoriesAbout...'?
'StoriesAbout...'
is a learning environment constructed as part of Dr Chris McKillop's
PhD at The Robert Gordon University. It aims to provide an environment
where people can share stories about their experiences of a particular
topic and respond to other stories. 'StoriesAbout...' was piloted
by art and design students who used it to share
their stories of their experiences of the assessment process.
The research has transferred the storytelling model of learning
of McDrury & Alterio (2003) to an on-line setting. This model of learning
has previously been developed through using face-to-face workshops to share
stories and learn about experiences of practice in the health care setting.
McDrury, J., & Alterio, M. (2003). Learning through storytelling
in Higher Education: Using Reflection & Experience to Improve Learning.
London: Kogan Page.
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Why use 'StoriesAbout...'?
'StoriesAbout...' enables you to share your experiences and learn
from other people's experiences and insights into your experience.
It provides a model for structuring responses which enables reflection
and learning to be supported. 'StoriesAbout...' can be used to support
reflection on learning, or discussions on just about any topic.
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How do I use 'StoriesAbout...'?
'StoriesAbout...'
is simple to use. It is centred around an initial story which
someone has written. After
reading this story you can make, or view, four types of responses:
- viewpoint response
- wonder if response
- similar response
- what learnt response
Or you can tell
a new story of your own by clicking on the 'Tell a new story' button.
Other people can choose to respond to your story using the four types
of responses.
A list of themes is shown
after you log onto your storytelling circle. You
can always display this page by selecting the 'Story themes' button.
The number next to each theme shows the number of initial stories written.
Clicking on the '+' button
will show the first line of each story and who wrote it. You can either
click on the first line of the story to view the story in
full,
or
click on the person's name to view a summary of all the initial stories
they have written (regardless of the theme).
Clicking on the '-' button will shrink this list and can be used to
make the page tidier.
When you are viewing an initial story - you can see a summary list of
responses on the right hand panel of the screen. You can click on these
responses to view them in full in the panel underneath the initial story.
If there is an image next to a story you can click on this to bring up
a full screen version - you can minimise, close or move this page around
If you wish to respond to an initial story you can click on one
of the four buttons - 'Viewpoint', 'Wonder if', 'Similar' or 'What
learnt' underneath the story. Moving the cursor over these buttons
will show a short explanation of the type of response story. Clicking
on one of the buttons takes you to the page where you can write and
submit your story. The system will keep track on whose story you
have responded to. You can even respond to your own stories.
You can upload an image or Word file to illustrate your story.
You can always go back to a previous page by using the 'Back' button
on your browser.
Have fun telling your stories!
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What is an 'initial story'?
An 'initial story' is one you wish to tell others or would like
their insights on. Your initial story will help spark off discussion
supported by the storytelling model. There will usually be a list
of themes in your storytelling circle which will help you think of
stories to tell.
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What is a 'viewpoint story'?
A 'viewpoint story' is one where you can see a different viewpoint
in the initial story. It may be from your own perspective,
or you may wish to add a response from someone elses' point of view.
Being able to see different viewpoints helps us understand how other
people think and enables us to learn.
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What is a 'wonder if story'?
A 'wonder if story' is when you want to respond to a story by looking
at different possibilities. It is like reading the story and thinking: “I
wonder if...”. For example, responses could be about what you
would have done differently in that situation, or about what you
could have done if the situation had been different. It is about
exploring different possibilities.
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What is a 'similar story'?
A 'similar story' is simply a story you wish to tell which is similar
to the initial story where you feel your experiences are similiar
to the initial story and you feel you would like to tell your story
in response. Many stories we tell on a day to day basis are of this
nature. This helps create a social bond between storyteller and listener.
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What is a 'what learnt story'?
A 'what learnt story' is a story about what you have learnt from this
story. You may wish to respond by saying not just what you have learnt,
but how you will incorporate this into your practice.
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