Tell the Story: Turning Dry Lessons into Memorable Learning

Host Lisa Cherivtch explains how a simple commitment to storytelling transformed conversations at an open house and reinforced research-backed teaching practices. She shares concrete examples—from imagining historical thinkers in debates to using a recurring fictional company and story dice—to make abstract concepts vivid and memorable.

Practical, low-effort strategies from "small teaching" are highlighted for instructors across disciplines, with a challenge to try one story-based activity next term to boost engagement and retention.