Digital Storytelling

 

Digital story telling enables computer users to expand on traditional story telling formats (oratory or handwritten/typed with still images) to become creative storytellers using different types of multimedia to generate stimulating digital stories (Robin, 2009). Multimedia including computer based graphics, audio and video clips as well as computer generated text are used to create content that can be uploaded to a website, watched on the computer or even burned to a CD or DVD.  In his article, Robin credits the inception of Digital Story telling to Joe Lambert and the late Dana Atchley of the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS). The CDS began in the 1980’s as community organization that provided assistance to individuals wanting to create and share their own personal narratives. The CDS is also attributed with the development of the Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling that are as follows

1.     Point of view

2.     A dramatic question

3.     Emotional content

4.     Gift of your voice

5.     Power of the soundtrack

6.     Economy

7.     Pacing

An insight into these elements is provided in the following video

 

So how can Digital storytelling be used in the classroom?

Robin highlights that digital storytelling can be utilised firstly as an instructional tool to engage students in content and secondly to provide a foundation for 21^st Century digital literacy for students who can create their own stories.

As an instructional tool, teachers are able to use previously created digital stories or form their own to engage students in new content. In doing so, teachers have the opportunity use digital stories to present conceptual and abstract content in an easy to understand format. Digital storytelling in the classroom can therefore be used as a catalyst for discussion as well as an attention-grabber to enhance lessons or to provide an effective anticipatory set. In this context, digital storytelling is advantageous as the use of visual imagery and written text enhances student comprehension (Burmark, 2004).

However the best use of digital storytelling is when students work to construct their own creative pieces. The three main categories that students’ stories fall into are personal narratives, stories that inform or instruct and also stories that examine historical events (Robin, 2009).  In engaging with these three storytelling types, students are provided with a potent learning experience as gaining cultural, informational and digital literacy. 

I believe that the real strength of digital storytelling lies in its ability to engage students who are not avid readers or writers because the technology itself encourages a less promoted skill set in art, media and production (Ohler, 2005/2006).  This is supported by a study conducted by Sara Kajder in a diverse classroom in Washington D.C. She introduced digital storytelling as a part of a personal narrative unit, and found that the different media sparked the students’ interests with reluctant readers ‘diving into bookcases’ to find out more (Kajder, 2006). By challenging the students capabilities with 21^st century technology students gained a deeper comprehension of what they were reading as well as being introduced to skills they did not even know they had. Kajders’ study is a clear example of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge in full effect, displaying just how vital the application of a theoretical framework is to successful digital learning.

References      

Robin, B.R. (2009). Digital Storytelling: Powerful Technology tools for the 21^st Century Classroom. Theory Into Practice, 47:220-228

Burmark, L. (2004). Visual presentations that prompt, flash & transform. Media and Methods, 40(6): 4–5.

Ohler, Jason. (2005/ 2006). The World of Digital Storytelling [Electronic version].  Educational Leadership, 63(4), 44-47.

Kajder, S.B. (2006). Bringing the Outside In: Visual Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.

YouTube Video

kvnblndng. (2009). The Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling. YouTube Clip. Retrieved May 20, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1f-_FXgJZM

Images

Digital Storytelling Wordle [image] n.d retrieved May 21, 2013 from http://kristastechtidbits.pbworks.com/f/1273700764/storytelling%20wordle.jpg

Digital story screen shot [image] n.d retrived May 21, 2012 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc1nVk4KXNvchIH5Xc-jCb6r9p3DbXyDW6szEDXWqOPFpheAQmw0n1Pd5hI1nvcWBdAQ4PvP0QV6St4_P-uG9PZ40hiC5tG4unWu0OsGHLABri3XQJehebvGQOlewVsyymNEP6pz3dMQ/s1600/CatLove.jpg