Even seemingly insignificant stories can teach us facts that stick with us for the rest of our lives. Legally Blonde taught us that you can't wet your hair for twenty-four hours after getting a perm. An episode of The Simpsons taught us the five stages of grief. And how could we forget that there are 529,600 minutes to measure a year (that's from Rent, for you non-musical people)? From Snow White to Breaking Bad, stories are not just a means of entertainment. They teach us things, they allow us to see the world in shades of gray, and the let us consider viewpoints we might never have considered. What's more, they're just plain fun. That's why SDI uses stories to teach workers everything from driving to medical care. Read on to see how we're using stories to amplify employee training.
The famous question, "what would you do?" has a greater impact than we realize. Just like medical students see fake patients to practice diagnosing others, SDI learners run through real-world scenarios to understand new tools, make decisions, and comply with company policy. Choose your own adventure style eLearning courses allow learners to analyze stories and put employees in charge of teaching themselves. Rather than being a passenger to the learning experience, scenarios let learners become a main character in a world where they can choose the ending.
Human beings love stories. That's why we tend to read more novels than manuals. The simple act of sympathizing with a situation or connecting with a character leads to greater engagement during employee training. With both visual, auditory, and reading-based learning, stories have a little something to get everyone invested. And when employees are invested, they not only complete their training, but commit it to heart.
If the Animaniacs taught you the state capitals, then you already know that good stories are memorable. According to Harvard Business, "facts from a well-told story are remembered more accurately and longer than simply explaining ideas." In addition, the same article suggested that facts are twenty times more likely to be remembered if they're part of a story. Strong stories prevent your new hires from freezing up on the job.
Good stories build empathy. It's no secret stories are used to invoke emotion, but we don't expect training material to bring a tear to anyone's eye. Rather, stories can use simple words to map out the big picture. Storytelling at work is a chance for employers to use their company values to showcase the culture behind their business. When employees connect with a company purpose, they become hardworking, open, and more dedicated to their careers.
Training should never be flat. Dynamic, modern storytelling can bring outdated onboarding to life. To help tell your tale, contact the folks at SDI. We can update your old training materials, or create new ones to tell stories, illustrate ideas, and help employees grow.