DIGITAL STORYTELLING
By: Jill Culp


What is digital storytelling?
Storytelling is very important in education. This old way of learning is now being combined with technology as a way for students to express their thoughts as well as creativity. Digital storytelling is the process of using images and audio to tell the stories of lives, events, and eras. Teachers are breaking away from the typical paper and pen essays and are having students explore more creative ways of expression by using multimedia.[1]

In order to successfully make a digital story, students must have access to:

• Computers
• Digital cameras
• Word wide web
• Microphones
• Computer video projector
• DVD Burner
• Software for streaming video through the web (if you want your work to be published)
• Scanner 2

How do you use digital storytelling?
The most important thing to remember when making a digital story is that the story must be intriguing. Always start out by writing a script and planning your story, a good way to start is by using a storyboard. This allows you to organize your thoughts and ideas. Once the story is written follow these steps and you are on your way to making and sharing your story.

1. Open up the movie maker program.
2. Once you are in movie maker, click on “tools” and find “create new collection”. This is where your images will go before you start to make the movie.
3. Click on “file” and locate “import to collection”. Look for the images you have chosen to be in your movie. Click on the images and import them. They will now appear in the collection folder.
4. Now look for the button that says “show storyline”. This is located at the bottom of the screen. A series of boxes will come up, drag the images into the boxes and decide the sequencing you want.
5. Now it is time to add a title, transitions and effects. These can all be done by clicking on “file” and choosing “titles and credits”, “video transition” and “video effect”. Follow the simple directions.
6. Now, view the story by clicking on the “play button” below the little viewing screen to the right.
7. It is nowtime to add narration. Click on “tools” and look for “narrate timeline.” Click “start narration” and tell your story. When finished click on “stop narration”. You can also add music, but you must import a music wave or MP3 file.
8. When you are pleased with your movie, click on “save movie”, you can always go back and edit your movie if you are not happy with it.
9. You are now ready to share your creation! [2]

Click here to view a sample of digital stoytelling:
The Shark Movie by: Kevin Hodgson




Why use digital storytelling?
There are many reasons as to why digital storytelling should be used in classrooms. Digital storytelling makes the reading process more visual for children, especially those who struggle with reading. It grabs the students’ interest and attention and is a great motivator for students who love computers and technology. Digital storytelling allows students to capitalize on their own creative talents and publish their work on the internet for others to critique and view. 1,3

How are teachers using digital storytelling?
Educators at all levels can use digital storytelling in their classrooms. This activity can be used for any subject area. Teachers use digital storytelling as a way to increase computer skills using software that combines an assortment of multimedia. Digital storytelling is also a great way for students to learn about researching through the use of the internet. Teachers use this technique as a way for students to develop communication skills. 3

Examples of lesson plans and scoring rubrics can be found on the web to help teachers who are interested in bringing digital storytelling into the classroom.




Resources:

• Center for Digital Storytelling:http://www.storycenter.org/
• Digital Storytelling Cookbook: http://www.storycenter.org/memvoice/pages/cookbook.html
• Digital Storytelling Finds Its Place In The classroom: http://www.infotoday.com/mmschools/jan02/banaszewski.htm
• Integrating Digital Storytelling In Your Classroom: http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/
• Digital Storytelling: http://www.teachingteachers.com/

Citations:
Hodgson, Kevin (2005). Digital Storytelling: Using Technology to tell Stories. Retrieved July 16, 2006, Web site: http://www.umass.edu/wmwp/DigitalStorytelling/Digital%20Storytelling%20Main%20Page.htm
Robin, Bernard, D (n.d). Retrieved July 16, 2006, from Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling Web site: http://www.coe.uh.edu/digitalstorytelling/
Roblyer, M.D (2005). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (4th Edition), Pearson Education Upper Saddle,NJ.


[1] Roblyer, M.D (2005). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (4th Edition), Pearson Education Upper Saddle,NJ.