Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling, according to the University of Houston's website, is "the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. Prior to this class, I had never heard of digital storytelling, although I know I've experienced it before this. Daniel Meadows, a pioneer in the field of digital storytelling, described digital stories as "multimedia sonnets from the people," which is a really poetic way to think about it. I like thinking about digital storytelling in that way. 

Everyone loves a good story. How many of us as children begged for another, and another, and yet another bedtime story? One was never enough for me! In this technology-driven age, it makes sense that we would be seeking a digital version of this storytelling. How many TV shows and movies now are told through flashbacks (which is, in essence, someone telling us a story)? But the important thing from all of this is that this digital storytelling can be used in the classroom. I feel like students today are much more interested in watching movies in the classroom because, let's face it, they are more interesting than listening to someone lecture you about the same content. One thing that the University of Houston's website provides is a whole page specifically dedicated to ways to use this digital storytelling in the classroom. I found this to be especially helpful because I plan to teach science, and I liked seeing how I can apply this storytelling to my classroom, especially since it seems to be so biography/history/social studies and language arts driven. 

The "Educational Uses" Page on the University of Houston Website

I honestly do not know if I would have considered this as a tool for students had I not read through this website. I like the collaborative nature of science work, and I like knowing that this digital storytelling can become a collaborative things that my students can share, not only with each other, but with other students in other states or countries. The website pointed out that this type of digital project appeals to leaners of all types, and since I have a special focus in deaf education, I think the visual nature of this as an assignment would work especially well with that group of students. It also would add a layer of creativity to the science content, which, sadly, is very much lacking. The website here also added that digital storytelling can help build communication skills, which I firmly believe all students in this technology-driven time can and will benefit from.

The Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling

I like that this website spelled out the elements not only just for digital storytelling in general, but also the ten parts of educational digital storytelling. It also explained the 21st century skills that working on a digital story helps build. I was somewhat surprised to see that the skills were all different types of literacy, but excited to see "global literacy" on that list. That skill allows students to put information within a global context, which is something that I do not see many deaf students getting the opportunity to do. I also think digital storytelling can become a way to educate the greater hearing public about deafness, and about the deaf and hearing people who have done great things for the Deaf community and themselves. The final page provides some extra resources and tools, with links to podcasts, blogs, etc. all about digital storytelling. I also found this to be especially helpful, and have bookmarked it for that reason! I hope this explanation of digital storytelling and my anticipated application of it helped you better understand digital storytelling, too!