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Stories are told to inspire, teach, and help us make sense of the world. So, it’s no surprise that storytelling has become one of the most effective ways to engage learners and make eLearning more memorable.
When we connect emotionally with what we’re learning and see ourselves in the story, the information is more likely to stick. And that’s where storytelling in eLearning really shines.
Why storytelling works in eLearning
You’ve probably heard the claim that people remember information better when it’s shared through a story. While the famous “22x more memorable” stat can’t be traced to one source, there’s truth behind the idea.
According to neuroscientist Uri Hasson, storytelling activates multiple areas of the brain, not just those used for processing language, but also those linked to emotion, movement, and the senses. In other words, stories make us feel something. And emotion is one of the most powerful tools we have for learning.
That’s why storytelling has become a key part of modern learning design. Instead of clicking through slides or memorising bullet points, learners experience knowledge through relatable, human scenarios. They can make decisions, see the outcomes, and understand why things matter, not just what to do.
From information to immersion
Let’s take compliance training as an example.
A traditional course might list out rules, policies, and dos and don’ts.
Learners read them, tick the boxes, and move on. But add a relatable situation with characters, emotions, and real-world consequences, and suddenly the content has impact.
That’s the difference between knowing a rule and understanding its importance.
Stories make training:
- More memorable, context turns abstract information into something meaningful.
- More relatable, learners see themselves in the story.
- More actionable, scenarios encourage learners to think, decide, and do.
Bringing your stories to life with Vyond
So, how do you bring storytelling into your eLearning?
This is where Vyond comes in.
Vyond lets you create animated videos that feel personal, professional, and on-brand, no design degree required. It’s perfect for L&D teams and learning designers who want to tell better stories visually.
You can:
- Set the scene – Recreate your workplace or environment so it feels familiar to your learners.
- Design your cast – Create characters that look like your employees or customers to build a connection.
- Show don’t tell – Turn tricky topics or abstract concepts into engaging visuals.
- Add interactivity – Combine your animations with learning gamification or quizzes to take learners on a journey with their character.
For example, imagine a data security course where learners follow “Bob”, a new employee, through their first week at work.
Every decision Bob makes, from clicking a suspicious link to sharing information, shapes the story’s outcome. Suddenly, data protection isn’t just a rule; it’s a lived experience.
If you’re keen to start building stories like this, our Vyond training courses are a great place to begin. You’ll learn how to use storytelling, animation, and scene setting to turn learning ideas into something visually unforgettable.
Storytelling meets gamification
When storytelling meets interactivity, magic happens.
Embedding Vyond videos into tools like Articulate Storyline lets you create branching scenarios where each decision leads to a different outcome, like an interactive film. Learners can explore, experiment, and see the impact of their choices in a safe, engaging space.
Not sure where to start? Take a look at Vyond’s guide to adding animation to Storyline courses.
Or, if you’d like a creative boost, watch Vyond’s Storytelling Masterclass for fresh ideas on how to use story structure, emotion, and character to make your eLearning shine.
The impact of storytelling on learning
Organisations using animated storytelling in their eLearning have seen real results, from higher engagement to measurable behaviour change.
In fact, Vyond reports that teams using animation for training have achieved:
- Up to 30% higher completion rates
- 40% more learner engagement
- Greater understanding and long-term knowledge retention
That’s because stories go beyond information delivery. They help people connect emotionally, remember key messages, and apply learning in the real world.
Ready to tell your story?
At Omniplex Learning, we believe great learning should never feel like a checkbox exercise. It should inspire, challenge, and connect.
Storytelling gives you the power to make that happen, and Vyond gives you the tools to bring those stories to life.
Whether you’re designing your first animated course or levelling up your team’s visual storytelling skills, we’re here to help.
Explore Vyond for eLearning, learn how to create with Vyond, or build your skills with Vyond training from Omniplex Learning.