What is Digital Storytelling? According to the author of, Capturing Stories Capturing Lives: An Introduction to Storytelling; it is the capacity of taking stories, whether real or imagined, and writing about that story. (Jakes, D.) It is then the process of adding voice, pictures, and sound in order to create a visual story. There is a significant amount of writing that goes into developing the story, so many, that there are multiple drafts that one goes through in order to have the final version of the story. The fact that there is this emphasis on writing is something that the author feels contributes to the communication skills that need to be developed in students today.
There are six steps that correspond to the completion of a digital story. These include the second step which is the writing of a script. The third step is the storyboard. The fourth step involves locating the resources. The last two steps are to create and share. (Jakes, D.) The author feels that when students are working and searching for resources, they are using technology. Using technology to their benefit they will learn new ways to incorporate what they learn into the digital story. Working on a digital story is a way for a student to share a personal side of their life with other students, which in turn is a way to share and collaborate with their peers.
When one looks at the different steps that will go into the preparation of the digital story, one can see that NETS-S Standard number one, where one creates original works as a means of personal or group expression, comes to mind. Students will be challenged to work on a digital story and to bring their very best effort to the table, if you will. It nurtures the spirit of the student as an integral part of a larger dynamic, one in which a students work will be seen by others, thereby making it important that students draw upon resources and help if necessary, so that the end product is exemplary.
I believe that in the future it will be necessary to incorporate into the curriculum at a high school level even, that it be a requirement that a digital story be prepared by a student. I can’t see how it will not benefit a student to know the technology in a realistic sense when they may be asked to prepare one for their work.
Jakes, D. Capturing Stories, Capturing Lives: Aan Introduction to Digital Storytelling.
Retrieved Oct. 8, 2011
Virginia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of your assumptions about digital storytelling. Giving students the opportunity to complete an assignment of this nature may serve several functions. First, as you stated, it covers some NETS-S. Students must be able to retrieve, process, and then synthesis information to produce a final product. This is similar to the process involved with creating a film. Students will have to be able to incorporate both hardware and software into the process. Learning these skills will be useful for future projects they may create, as well as simply understand the electronic process involved.
Another issue raised in this discussion is reaching students that learn in a hands on setting. Not all students retain information well in a lecture/note classroom setting. Allowing students the freedom to produce an unique project will promote inclusiveness in the classroom. This seems to be an effective teaching strategy that could be incorporated into most settings. How would you specifically use this type of project? Are there specific standards or themes that would be relevant to this type of learning?
Virginia,
ReplyDeleteDigital story telling is a way that students can use their creative side as they express themselves through technology. This concept falls under most if not all of the NET-S which is a beneficial way of learning. It seems to me that your article focused on the process, steps, and benefits of using this assignment in the class, were as mine talked about the importance of a balance between the technology as the true subject that needs to be conserved. Don't you think this is an important concept? I find myself so excited about assignments like digital storytelling, graphic organizers, and movies but as a teacher the most important part is the material the students will be learning when using these tools. As a future teacher this is going to be an important obstacle in my carrier.