This post was written by Nicole Ursprunger, a Marketing and Engagement staff member at the National Geographic Society.
You spent all year helping your students learn. This summer, prioritize your own development by enrolling in National Geographic’s free Storytelling for Impact courses.
This online learning series, developed in partnership with Adobe, will introduce you to National Geographic Explorers who will help you master the basics of storytelling using photography, video, graphics, and audio. By the end of each course, you’ll be prepared to incorporate a new digital skill set into your curriculum, guiding your students to create and communicate powerful stories that inspire empathy and action.
We know how important it is to rest and recharge after a long school year, which is why our self-paced, on-demand courses allow you to learn from anywhere, whether you’re lounging outside or hanging out in the living room.
The five-part Storytelling for Impact series will allow you to sharpen your skills in the mediums you want to use to tell your stories. Let’s take a look at how each of these courses will refine your skill set in different areas.
Start Your Learning Journey with “Introduction to Storytelling”
Students connect with stories more than anything else, which is what makes storytelling one of the most effective means of communication in the classroom. “Why, How, and When: Introduction to Storytelling” will lead you on an exploration of why stories are powerful vehicles to inspire change, how impactful stories are developed, and when your curriculum can engage young learners in storytelling.
Empower Students Through Video and Photography
In our digital era, photography and video content can capture attention and communicate ideas that cannot be described using words alone. Our courses in digital storytelling will help you learn how to leverage photography and video as effective and dynamic instructional tools in your classroom.
Refresh Your Lesson Plans With Audio and Graphics
Think outside the box this school year by embracing the power of audio and visual tools to enhance your lessons. In our audio course, create a short audio story and plan to integrate storytelling and audio into your classroom. In our graphics course, engage in activities that focus on the various infographic structures used to communicate thoughtful, educational content. You will have the chance to build an infographic of your own and learn how to help students become digital storytellers using infographics.
Your National Geographic Learning Journey Starts Here
Our Storytelling for Impact and other virtual courses vary in content, length, and schedule and are open to any educator worldwide who works with students in either a formal or informal setting. In many of our courses, learners can earn graduate credits through our university partnerships. You will be able to learn from world-class National Geographic photographers, videographers, podcasters, and visual storytellers.
Every student and every educator has an important story to tell. Our online courses bring the power of storytelling directly to your classroom. Incorporate storytelling into your classroom this school year and unlock a world of possibility for your students.
Once you’ve mastered these skills for yourself, get your students excited about storytelling by helping them enroll in the Storytelling for Impact courses for youth, designed for students ages 16-25.
Looking for more ways to engage your students online, in person, or at home? Find more on our Learn Anywhere page or in our Resource Library.
Featured image by Mark Thiessen