Process
Running an empathy-based stories study on a course
The method of empathy-based stories, adapted for course redesign.

A five-step process for using the method of empathy-based stories (MEBS) in course redesign. Students continue one of two short frame stories that differ in one element, such as a course that succeeded or failed, and the course team compares the stories across versions. It is meant for course teams and educational developers planning a redesign, not for judging teaching. Koji can collect the stories by voice or text and group them into themes.
What's in this process
- Decide the one element to vary: Usually the outcome: a course that worked against one that failed. Change nothing else.
- Write two short frame stories: A few sentences each, a concrete situation and an open end the student continues.
- Assign students at random: Each student gets one version. Letting them choose skews who writes which story.
- Collect short stories: Half a page is plenty. Say the stories shape a redesign and never judge staff.
- Compare the versions: Find themes within each version, then what appears in both, in one, or nowhere.
Use this image
Free to use in your docs, decks and posts under CC BY 4.0, as long as you credit Koji with a link to this page. To embed it, paste this into your page:
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<a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/empathy-based-stories-course-redesign-process"><img src="https://www.koji.so/visuals/empathy-based-stories-course-redesign-process/empathy-based-stories-course-redesign-process.png" alt="Process for an empathy-based stories study on a course: vary one element, write two frame stories, assign at random, collect stories, compare versions." width="1200" height="792" /></a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/empathy-based-stories-course-redesign-process">Running an empathy-based stories study on a course</a>, Koji</p>

