Built on established educational research. Designed for today’s learners.
The Narrative Learning Framework™ brings together ideas from educational research, cognitive science and narrative theory to create a practical approach to learning.
Rather than introducing an entirely new way of teaching, the framework connects well-established educational principles into a coherent model that helps learners explore the stories shaping how they think, learn and act.
Narrative as a Way of Learning
The Evolution of Narrative
Stories have always been one of humanity’s most powerful ways of making sense of the world.
Research across education, psychology and neuroscience suggests that people naturally organise experiences through narrative. Stories help us understand information, remember ideas and connect new learning to prior knowledge.
The Narrative Learning Framework™ builds on this understanding by placing narrative at the centre of meaningful learning experiences.
Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Effective learning goes beyond remembering facts.
The framework encourages learners to investigate questions, examine evidence, consider multiple perspectives and reflect on their own thinking.
This inquiry-based approach helps students become active participants in learning rather than passive recipients of information.
Identity, Belonging and Perspective
Learning is deeply connected to identity.
The stories people hear about themselves, others and the wider world influence their beliefs, relationships and behaviour.
The Narrative Learning Framework™ creates opportunities for learners to examine these narratives respectfully while developing empathy, curiosity and a stronger sense of belonging.
Designing Meaningful Learning
The framework also draws on principles of:
Constructivist Learning
Learners build new understanding by connecting new idpas to their experiences and prior knowledge.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Students explore questions, investigate evidence and develop deeper understanding through inquiry.
Social Learning
Learning is strengthened through interaction, collaboration and meaningful relationships.
Metacognition
Learners develop awareness of their thinking and use strategies to reflection and improve.
Critical Literacy
Students analyse texts, identify bias and understand how language and stories influence meaning.
Systems Thinking
Learners understand how part connect within wider systems and consider multiple perspectives.
Experiential Learning
Learning is deepened through experience, reflection and application in real contexts.
Cognitive Science
Insights from how the brain learns inform strategies that support memory, attention and understanding.
Rather than presenting these ideas separately, the Narrative Learning Framework™ weaves them together into a practical approach that educators can apply across different contexts.
An Evolving Framework
Like education itself, the Narrative Learning Framework™ continues to evolve.
New research, emerging technologies and changing social contexts create new opportunities for learning. The framework is designed to grow alongside these changes while remaining grounded in the enduring power of story, inquiry and human connection.
Continuing the Conversation
The Narrative Learning Framework™ is informed by research, strengthened through practice and refined through ongoing collaboration with educators.
As new ideas emerge, so too will new opportunities to expand and deepen the framework.