Lies, Damned Lies- and Storytelling

Abstract

This article investigates story as an acceptable effective presentation of experience which facilitates research, teaching and learning in educational management. Stories, written by school principals about real events which influenced their practice, are interspersed with discussion on the art of storytellers and how their magic can be distinguished from that of actors and management gurus. It is suggested that storytelling is an acceptable method of research since it records experience authoritatively and can lead to categorization. It is also claimed that storytelling is an effective method of teaching since it stimulates the imagination and offers learning stimuli from varying sources which link teacher and taught through shared experience. Three stories are offered enabling the reader to test the ideas presented.