Example Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge & Selection

Storytelling is one the essential tools that is needed in my line of work every time. I am an assistant  to trustee in an NGO and handle the teaching vertical there. We work with underprivileged children,  who are amongst the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged in terms of education, and in  much need of the same. Suffering with poverty, some of them are the victims of child labour, some  lack of intrinsic motivation and inspiration. Also, among my responsibilities is to carry out  community events in which we clean up some areas picking out the waste thrown in public places. In  both areas, storytelling is an important tool to get them on the same page and telling them why it is  important to do what we do. With students, it is important to share stories of successful people who  have risen from the same place and reached great heights to motivate them. With community  people, storytelling helps in connecting with the end goal of communal welfare. Their reactions to  our story can be better utilised to understand their thought processes and interests.

Application

I would like to present the application where I utilised storytelling. While taking a class in a certain  year, I noticed that the student’s motivation to learn was very low. I had observed the trend from a  week and wanted to get to the bottom of it. A simple ethnographic research told me that the reason  for the same was the fact that majority of the students had taken up part time jobs to support their  family. It was not allowed as per the child labour laws, but these children had no option but to work  and miss school to support their families due to a recession our country was facing. I felt there is a  need to show empathy here and make the students understand the importance of education which  will enable them to get out of this circle of poverty. These students were looking for short term gains  by impacting their long-term gains.

Insight & Approach

I scheduled a visit to the museum the next day which was known for hosting various notable  scholars in our society and how they had risen through poverty to reach various heights of life. I  narrated the story of each of these scholars to the children, capturing their imagination and  motivating them. After spending fruitful hours at the museum and motivating the students through  storytelling, the results were visible in the following weeks. Even though some carried to do their  part time work, but everyone showed increase interest and motivation, completing their homework  well within time. Their curiosity rose and they approached the subjects quite positively. A majority of  the students passed with distinction in the exams.

I shared the same approach with my NGO, and my fellow colleagues followed the same approach  getting better results than ever.

I am thankful to this course for showing me this way and I’m sure this tool is going to be very useful  in my future life.


Example Reflection – Storytelling Challenge & Selection Storytelling is one the essential tools that is needed in my line of work every time . I am an assistant to trustee in an NGO and handle the teaching vertical there . We work with underprivileged children , who are amongst the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged in terms of education , and in much need of the same . Suffering with poverty , some of them are the victims of child labour , some lack of intrinsic motivation and inspiration . Also , among my responsibilities is to carry out community events in which we clean up some areas picking out the waste thrown in public places . In both areas , storytelling is an important tool to get them on the same page and telling them why it is important to do what we do . With students , it is important to share stories of successful people who have risen from the same place and reached great heights to motivate them . With community people , storytelling helps in connecting with the end goal of communal welfare . Their reactions to our story can be better utilised to understand their thought processes and interests . Application I would like to present the application where I utilised storytelling . While taking a class in a certain year , I noticed that the student ’s motivation to learn was very low . I had observed the trend from a week and wanted to get to the bottom of it . A simple ethnographic research told me that the reason for the same was the fact that majority of the students had taken up part time jobs to support their family . It was not allowed as per the child labour laws , but these children had no option but to work and miss school to support their families due to a recession our country was facing . I felt there is a need to show empathy here and make the students understand the importance of education which will enable them to get out of this circle of poverty . These students were looking for short term gains by impacting their long - term gains . Insight & Approach I scheduled a visit to the museum the next day which was known for hosting various notable scholars in our society and how they had risen through poverty to reach various heights of life . I narrated the story of each of these scholars to the children , capturing their imagination and motivating them . After spending fruitful hours at the museum and motivating the students through storytelling , the results were visible in the following weeks . Even though some carried to do their part time work , but everyone showed increase interest and motivation , completing their homework well within time . Their curiosity rose and they approached the subjects quite positively . A majority of the students passed with distinction in the exams . I shared the same approach with my NGO , and my fellow colleagues followed the same approach getting better results than ever . I am thankful to this course for showing me this way and I ’m sure this tool is going to be very useful in my future life .