Simple Branched Story:

For my branched story, I kept it fairly simple as I was focusing on learning the new software rather than the story itself. I chose to make branches about how to deal with stress. I feel like this is relevant at the moment as this midterm season has been stressful for many students including myself. I am still not super comfortable using this software, it was a little confusing but it was a fun process.

Describe a meaningful learning experience that started with a story that you heard. What made it impactful for you? What senses did it appeal to? Did you recognize any of the storytelling techniques reviewed this week?

I remember in the 9th grade when my class was learning about how rubber acts as an insulator and therefore doesn’t allow electricity to pass through an object. My 9th grade science teacher told our class a story about how she and her dad were at a farm while it was pouring rain and they were holding onto an electrical fence. The only reason why they didn’t feel a shock is because they were standing on the ground wearing rubber gum boots and therefore the current could not pass through them and complete the circuit.

For some reason to this day, I remember this story super clearly. My teacher telling a personal story that happened in her life made me able to retain this information by thinking about this story. I believe this story has also touched on the Sensory and Motor Cortex by explaining the exact positioning and weather which helps the listener imagine the feeling of holding onto a metal fence while standing in the rain.

In the reading this week, 7 Storytelling Techniques Used by the Most Inspiring TED Presenters, which of the presenters did you find most compelling? What technique(s) did you recognize in their talk?

The three techniques that stood out to me the most were immersing your audience in a story, telling a personal story, and using the element of suspense. My personal favourite that I find very captivating is the element of suspense because I find it really grabs my attention and makes me listen intently until the end of the story.

When Richard Turere told his story about growing up in his homelands in Kenya, I felt transported as a listener into a different world. This story captivated my attention because it was fascinating to listen to someone who grew up in a completely different lifestyle than mine.