Reflection 5

Part 1: Twine story

Link to Story:

https://twinery.org/2/#/stories/97d316b1-b14a-401f-a498-a0bd9fd2375c/play

Part 2: Video

Link to Script and Storyboard:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uQJGNmK-Q9n0EtnzrBffD-5iWPYXk7DQHtET6ZZZfFM/edit?usp=sharing

Link to Video:

Part 3: Reflection

1. What storytelling techniques have you used instinctively and which ones require more work for you? Which techniques will you focus on moving forward?

The storytelling techniques that come most easily to me are character development, emotional appeal, and dialogue. I tend to naturally focus on developing characters as developing well-rounded characters can help make a story feel personal and engaging. I also find it interesting to consider how a character’s backstory, desires, and flaws influence their decisions.

Emotional storytelling also comes easily to me as creating tension, empathy and surprise can create moments that resonate with the imagined audience and increase the memorability of your story. Writing dialogue that feels authentic to each character also comes easily to me as I can use conversations to reveal more about characters’ personalities and relationships.

Alternatively, some storytelling techniques require more work and practice. I often struggle with adequate pacing, as balancing the flow of the story is something I find challenging. I sometimes get lost in details or character development and I need to work more consciously on ensuring that the plot progresses at an engaging pace.

I also struggle to integrate world-building seamlessly into the story. I often spend too much time on the plot and characters, and don’t allow enough time to develop the environment of the story.

By increasing my awareness of my strengths and weaknesses when storytelling, I can develop new techniques to improve these skills.

2. What learning experience does a branched narrative like Twine provide for learners? Where else do you come across branched narratives?

Twine offers a unique learning opportunity by placing learners in positions where they must make choices that directly impact the story’s outcome. This encourages critical thinking as learners must weigh the consequences of their choices and consider how different decisions can lead to different outcomes. Branched narratives also provide learners with a sense of agency, in which they can explore the cause and effect of various decisions. The ability to shape the direction of their experience can lead to increased engagement and a deeper understanding of the learning experience. Finally, after navigating the branches, learners can reflect on how their decisions shaped the story. This encourages them to think about decision-making processes and the impact of their choices in both fictional and real-world contexts.

Learners might come across branching narratives through multiple avenues. Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Books are a popular example of branched narratives as readers must make decisions to determine the book’s plot. Many video games, especially role-playing games, also use branched narratives to give players control over their journey. Finally, some educational platforms or corporate training modules also use branched narratives to help users learn through decision-making in real-world scenarios. For example, medical training simulations or conflict resolution scenarios often use branched paths to show the consequences of different actions in specific situations. Branched narratives, in any form, are a powerful way to engage learners in the process of storytelling, allowing them to actively engage in the learning process.

1. 

   I really enjoyed your Canva infographic! I think you used both contrast and hierarchy very effectively, as well as spacing.…

2. 

   This is such a thoughtful reflection! I love how you broke down both the lesson design using Merrill’s principles and…

3. 

   Great post! I love how you’re focusing on improving accessibility and sharing your process with the WAVE tool. It’s amazing…

4. 

   Hi Ami, I really enjoyed watching your video. It was very engaging and the editing style was captivating. I love…

5. 

   Hi Ami, Your blog post is both insightful and practical, especially in how you apply Merrill’s principles to address a…