Collaborative Inquiry Into the Pedagogical Use of Storytelling and Acting

Authors

  • Margaret H. Cooney University of Wyoming Author
  • Jane V. Nelson University of Wyoming Author
  • Karen Cachevki Williams University of Wyoming Author

Abstract

The authors describe a collaborative investigation using a qualitative design to explore the effectiveness of a teaching and learning strategy based on storytelling and acting. The study is grounded in the work of Boyer (1995), who advocated improved teaching at the college level. The data sources for the project included classroom observation and recording using expanded field notes, collection of student artifacts, instructor journaling, and followup interviews with students. The authors' findings supported the following conclusions: Direct observation is an effective method for interdisciplinary research, the storytelling and acting strategy elicited a high level of student engagement, and this strategy is most effective when used in combination with other active-learning strategies. In addition, all three faculty members changed their teaching as a result of their findings.

Published

2024-03-22