PART I: WHAT IS Digital storytelling?
PART II: NEED MORE INFORMATION? CHECK THIS OUT!
For a more detailed explanation of digital storytelling, click the following link to read the EDUCAUSE "7 Things You Should Know About Digital Storytelling" article
PART III: digital storytelling IN THE CLASSROOM
Using technology to tell a story or narrate a series of images can help students to formulate their thoughts on a subject. Creating sequences, organizing information, and creating a product are processes that can be applied in many different subject areas.
PART IV: HOW TO GET STARTED
purposeBefore introducing digital storytelling in your classroom, make sure you have defined the role that storytelling will play for your students. Students want to know 'why' this assignment matters. Will the students create a digital story as an introduction to their lives? Will they create a story about a famous person? Will you use character building topics for your themes? Will you create a class story? By answering these types of questions, you can plan for digital stories that will not only enhance your curriculum, but also help to develop 21st century skills for students.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELFTake the time to research the available resources for public domain images and music. Make sure to select a computer software that you feel comfortable navigating. Also, prepare a digital story to serve as an example for your students. If they know you're enthusiastic about digital stories, then it will help them to be motivated to complete their digital story!
Process
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Materials NeededComputer With Internet Access Headset Microphone to record narration and listen to audio. Audio Recording Software such as:
Images and Audio using the Public Domain or Creative Commons Licensing
Digital Story Software such as:
EXAMPLE Digital Stories & OTHER RESOURCES |
PART V: MY THOUGHTS ON Digital Storytelling
I LOVE this tool! Digital stories allow students to freely express themselves in a creative manner. I feel that a digital story can be tailored to any subject area. The possibilities for topics of digital stories are truly endless! However, digital storytelling can be a lengthy process. Make sure that you allow your students ample time to gather their information and complete the assignment. This is especially true if you are introducing digital storytelling to your class for the first time. The first time will always take much longer than what you anticipated. However, once the students develop more confidence with the process, the stories will not take as long to complete their stories in the future.
In my experience, I have only used Windows Movie Maker to create my stories. I find this program to be the most user friendly. However, experiment! You might find a different program that you like better. The key component is to find one that you feel confident using and one that your students will be able to navigate with success.
I cannot express this enough, BE SURE TO TEACH YOUR STUDENTS ABOUT COPYRIGHT LAWS prior to assigning a digital story. Students may fall victim to copyright infringement by incorporating audio and images that are copyrighted. That's why I feel that the digital story is a great assignment for teaching students about copyright and creative commons licensing. I definitely love creative commons licensing! To learn more about the power of creative commons, click here: http://creativecommons.org/. Also, make sure to check out the links for creative commons on my 'tech links' page!
Overall, I definitely recommend using digital storytelling in your classroom! Students will be actively engaged and excited to share their final products!
In my experience, I have only used Windows Movie Maker to create my stories. I find this program to be the most user friendly. However, experiment! You might find a different program that you like better. The key component is to find one that you feel confident using and one that your students will be able to navigate with success.
I cannot express this enough, BE SURE TO TEACH YOUR STUDENTS ABOUT COPYRIGHT LAWS prior to assigning a digital story. Students may fall victim to copyright infringement by incorporating audio and images that are copyrighted. That's why I feel that the digital story is a great assignment for teaching students about copyright and creative commons licensing. I definitely love creative commons licensing! To learn more about the power of creative commons, click here: http://creativecommons.org/. Also, make sure to check out the links for creative commons on my 'tech links' page!
Overall, I definitely recommend using digital storytelling in your classroom! Students will be actively engaged and excited to share their final products!
Are you ready for the next tool?