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How to Get Started with Interactive Storytelling with Laura Gibbs
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Reader, here's your weekly Teaching in Higher Ed update. On Episode 570, I welcome Laura Gibbs, longtime storyteller and retired faculty member from the University of Oklahoma, back to Teaching in Higher Ed. We explore the process of getting started with interactive storytelling—sometimes called "choose your own adventure" storytelling—across any discipline. Laura shares insights from her extensive experience teaching online courses in mythology, folklore, and now Latin and Greek, highlighting how interactive story forms like Twine games can foster creativity and engagement for students. Our conversation explores the mechanics behind branching stories, the power of concise 100-word narratives, and the many ways simple forms and constraints can make storytelling more approachable—even for those who don't see themselves as writers. Laura also emphasizes the value of feedback, alternative grading, and interdisciplinary applications of narrative work, showing how students from all backgrounds can use storytelling as a tool for learning and connection. Resources from the episode:
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Related EpisodesIt was wonderful getting to have another conversation with Laura Gibbs for the podcast, not to mention revisiting these other interviews on related topics. The following Teaching in Higher Ed podcast episodes explore the themes of storytelling, course design, and open education: On Episode 218, Alan Levine discusses how to design courses as compelling narratives. He shares insights from his work with Networked Narratives and DS106, emphasizing the power of storytelling to create immersive learning experiences. Episode 475 features Mia Zamora exploring the concept of “emergence” in teaching. She highlights the importance of intentionality and listening in facilitating learning environments that allow for unexpected and meaningful student contributions. 🎙️ How to Create Engaging Online Classes During Episode 228, Laura Gibbs shares strategies for designing engaging online courses. Drawing from her experience teaching mythology and folklore, she emphasizes the role of meaningful writing and student autonomy in fostering dynamic online learning communities. 🎙️ Storytelling: Audience, Path, and Destination Episode 321 features Josef Woldense discussing the elements of effective storytelling. He delves into understanding the audience, crafting the narrative path, and defining the destination to enhance the impact of stories in educational contexts. 🎙️ Creating and Extending Open Education On Episode 364, Terry Greene talks about the development and expansion of open educational resources. He shares experiences from initiatives like the Open Faculty Patchbook, highlighting the role of openness and collaboration in enriching educational practices. These episodes offer valuable insights into integrating storytelling and open education principles into course design, enhancing student engagement and deepening learning. RecommendedIf you want to hear more from Laura Gibbs about interactive storytelling, she and I did an ‘after party’ for the podcast in video format. We talked about how Twine can help students and educators create non-linear, engaging narratives—and Laura shared a live reading of her story The Mouse Bride as an example. I also got to hear more about her collaborations, including sessions on zines with Dawn Rogers Stahura and other creative teaching partnerships. If you’re curious about digital storytelling or looking to spark creativity in your teaching, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation. Quotable WordsLaura Gibbs offers us such a vital reminder during the conversation for Episode 228:
Next Week’s EpisodeOn the upcoming episode of Teaching in Higher Ed, Jackie Shay joins me to talk about overcoming imposter syndrome through joyful curiosity. SupportThe money gathered via the TiHE virtual 'tip jar' helps to defray some of the costs of producing the podcast.
ReadMy book: The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide, provides approaches to help you turn your intentions into action. I also write an advice column for EdSurge: Toward Better Teaching: Office Hours With Bonni Stachowiak ListenSubscribe to the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast and listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Stitcher, TuneIn, or Spotify. ShareUpdate: If you enjoy reading these weekly updates and would like to share them with a friend, they can sign up on the Teaching in Higher Ed updates subscribe page. DisclosuresAffiliate income disclosure: Books that are recommended on the podcast link to the Teaching in Higher Ed bookstore on Bookshop.org. All affiliate income gets donated to the LibroMobile Arts Cooperative (LMAC), established in 2016 by Sara Rafael Garcia.” Notice: Portions of these weekly updates are produced using CastMagic.io, which uses AI to produce a draft of the transcript, identify key quotes, highlight themes, etc. |
Hi! I'm Bonni Stachowiak. Host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Each week I send an update to subscribers with the most recent episode's show notes and some other resources that don't show up on the podcast. Subscribe to the Teaching in Higher Ed weekly update.
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