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Learning by restorying

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Abstract

In this paper, we introduce restorying, a pedagogical approach based on social constructivism that employs successive iterations of rewriting and discussing personal, student-generated, domain-relevant stories to promote conceptual application, critical thinking, and ill-structured problem solving skills. Using a naturalistic, qualitative case study design, this study describes and analyzes how restorying promoted learning and transfer for master’s level students in two sections of a conflict management class. Data sources included course documents, course assignments, class observations, interviews, focus groups, and surveys. An inductive analytic approach using constant comparative methods was employed for analyzing qualitative data, and course section assignment performance averages were calculated for analyzing quantitative data. The restorying approach emphasizes learning new content through personal story application and story sharing among course participants. The restorying approach offers a potentially viable alternative for those not satisfied with conventional case studies. Conventional case studies may fall short in providing the desired range or complexity of problem space elements or may embed problems in contexts that are not learner relevant. Moreover, the sustained analysis of a past personal experience may result in deeper internalization of domain content and transfer of learning. While restorying may not be appropriate for some learning contexts, it holds promise for settings that can incorporate the key elements and address the adoption considerations described in this paper. The restorying approach invites one to consider how personal, student-generated, domain-relevant stories may be employed, shared, reflected upon, revised, expanded upon, and redeployed to promote achievement of desired learning outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Columbus, GA, USA

    Wayne A. Slabon

  2. St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA, USA

    Randy L. Richards

  3. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Vanessa P. Dennen

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  1. Wayne A. Slabon
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  2. Randy L. Richards
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  3. Vanessa P. Dennen
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Correspondence to Wayne A. Slabon.

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Slabon, W.A., Richards, R.L. & Dennen, V.P. Learning by restorying. Instr Sci 42, 505–521 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-014-9311-z

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