Discover how narrative-based learning transforms online courses into engaging, human-centered experiences. This session showcases how story-driven instructional design fosters connection, reflection, and motivation in digital spaces. Learn practical strategies to support the whole learner—bridging theory and real-world practice to enhance retention, engagement, and authentic learner empowerment.

Title: Humanizing Digital Learning Through Narrative-Based Design: Empowering the Whole Learner

Topic & Relevance:
What if your online course could feel like a story your learners want to finish—not just a checklist they have to complete? As institutions increasingly adopt AI and automation in education, narrative-based design ensures technology serves humanity, not the other way around. In an era where online learning often feels transactional, this session explores narrative-based learning design as a strategy to humanize digital education. Grounded in adult learning and narrative theory, this approach transforms digital courses from isolated modules into cohesive learning journeys that connect cognition, emotion, and identity. For educators and instructional designers, this topic is essential to fostering belonging, motivation, and persistence—especially for diverse and global learners seeking meaningful connection in virtual spaces.

Interactivity Plan:
The session begins with a brief presentation where I introduce the foundations of narrative-based design and demonstrate how storytelling transforms digital learning from transactional to relational. Following this overview, participants will actively experience these principles through interactive storytelling activities.

I will guide attendees through a live poll and story-based scenario that illustrates common engagement challenges in online learning. From there, I will facilitate small-group breakout activities where participants redesign a sample online experience using narrative framing. Each group will co-create learner roles, decision points, and reflective prompts, then share and analyze their designs collaboratively on a virtual whiteboard.

To conclude, I will lead a whole-group reflection using a live digital board, synthesizing participant insights and modeling narrative-driven engagement in real time. This structure ensures a balance between presentation, guided application, and collaborative reflection, allowing participants to both learn from demonstration and apply the approach themselves.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Define narrative-based learning theory and explain how it supports engagement, retention, and learner empowerment in digital contexts.
2. Identify opportunities within their own courses or programs to humanize learning through story, context, and reflection.
3. Design a simple narrative framework aligned to course objectives and learner outcomes.
4. Integrate practical, scalable strategies—like role-play, episodic assignments, and reflective “chapter” design—into existing digital environments.

Takeaways:
Attendees will leave with practical strategies to:

1. Integrate storytelling and reflection to enhance learner engagement and retention.
2. Design simple narrative frameworks aligned to course outcomes.
3. Humanize digital learning by connecting content to lived experience and identity.
4. Participants will also receive a digital resource packet with sample narrative prompts, module templates, and reflection tools for immediate application in their own instructional design or teaching practice.

Kadijah Benson, MEd MPA SHRMCP

Instructional Designer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Kadijah Benson is an accomplished Instructional Designer and Certified Human Resources Professional with a strong foundation in adult education, organizational development, and curriculum design. She specializes in creating inclusive, research-informed learning experiences that drive engagement, knowledge retention, and professional growth across diverse learning environments.

Kadijah currently serves as an Instructional Designer within the Division of Academic Innovation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she collaborates with subject matter experts to design high-impact online courses that align with adult learning theory, institutional standards, and accessibility best practices. She manages end-to-end course development lifecycles in Canvas LMS, integrates multimedia and data-informed design strategies, and supports initiatives that advance digital learning and cross-campus collaboration.

Previously, Kadijah served as an Early Learning Coach and Program Manager at Small Magic, where she led large-scale professional development initiatives across 85 classrooms, resulting in a 1,512% increase in language milestone attainment for children birth to five. Her career also includes organizational development and compliance experience with Encompass Health and the State of Tennessee, where she designed training systems, streamlined onboarding processes, and led cross-departmental learning initiatives for thousands of employees.

Holding a Master’s in Adult Education, Curriculum Design & Instructional Technology, a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management, and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, Kadijah blends her academic expertise with practical leadership experience to build learner-centered programs that align people, processes, and performance. Guided by servant and transformational leadership principles, she is deeply committed to equity, innovation, and lifelong learning as pathways to personal and organizational excellence.