A Multilevel Approach to Using Digital Storytelling in the Classroom Bernard Robin & Melissa Pierson Instructional Technology Program College of Education University of Houston

The Challenges Seeking meaningful uses of digital imaging other than the superficial ones Wanting students to use digital imaging as a mode of communication and personal reflection Integrating multimedia development into K-12, pre-service and graduate education Seeking meaningful uses of digital imaging other than the superficial ones Wanting students to use digital imaging as a mode of communication and personal reflection Integrating multimedia development into K-12, pre-service and graduate education

Digital Storytelling Many definitions, but in general, combining the longstanding art of telling stories with any of a variety of available multimedia tools, including graphics, audio, video, animation, and Web publishing.

Elements of a Digital Story 1.Overall Purpose of the Story 2.Narrator’s Point of View 3.A Dramatic Question (or Questions) 4.Choice of Content 5.Clarity of Voice 6.Pacing of the Narrative 7.Meaningful Soundtrack 8.Quality of the Images 9.Economy of the Story Detail 10.Good Grammar and Language Usage 1.Overall Purpose of the Story 2.Narrator’s Point of View 3.A Dramatic Question (or Questions) 4.Choice of Content 5.Clarity of Voice 6.Pacing of the Narrative 7.Meaningful Soundtrack 8.Quality of the Images 9.Economy of the Story Detail 10.Good Grammar and Language Usage

Telling the Story Primarily a visual story but might also use: First person narrative Previously recorded audio Text slides Interviews

Writing and Recording a Script A script is written that tells a personal story in one’s own voice and style –Written script will be made into a digitized voiceover during production of the digital story A script is written that tells a personal story in one’s own voice and style –Written script will be made into a digitized voiceover during production of the digital story

Examples of Digital Stories Found on the Web UH Students: Graduate, Pre-Service TeachersGraduatePre-Service Teachers K-12 Teachers University Faculty Found on the Web UH Students: Graduate, Pre-Service TeachersGraduatePre-Service Teachers K-12 Teachers University Faculty

The Digital Storytelling Experience in Preparing Teachers Need for an Integrated Project Model of rich technology-integrated teaching and learning Demonstrated power of technology when used to support compelling, authentic content Need for an Integrated Project Model of rich technology-integrated teaching and learning Demonstrated power of technology when used to support compelling, authentic content

Set “Vision before application” Framework of lesson events: –Anticipatory sets –Main content presentation –Lesson closure –Student presentations “Vision before application” Framework of lesson events: –Anticipatory sets –Main content presentation –Lesson closure –Student presentations

Project Requirements Support for technology-integrated unit Option of creating teacher tool or student presentation Planned and storyboarded Created or located media elements Option to use MovieMaker, iMovie, or PowerPoint Support for technology-integrated unit Option of creating teacher tool or student presentation Planned and storyboarded Created or located media elements Option to use MovieMaker, iMovie, or PowerPoint

Finding Images & Audio on the Web Image Search Engines Google Picsearch AltaVista Image Search Engines Google Picsearch AltaVista Audio Search Engines AltaVista Singing Fish

Tools for Creating Digital Stories Microsoft Photo Story Apple iMovie Microsoft PowerPoint Macromedia Flash Many other software options Microsoft Photo Story Apple iMovie Microsoft PowerPoint Macromedia Flash Many other software options

A Few Words about Copyright Copyright Disclaimer: Many of the digital stories on our site include images and audio found on the Internet using commonly available search engines. The stories have been created for non-profit, educational use by students and teachers and we hope are within the fair use protection of existing copyright laws. If any copyright owner objects to the use of any work appearing on this site, please contact us and we will remove the work and review the propriety of including it.

Student Impressions Found it easy to create digital storiesFound it easy to create digital stories Excited that tools were user-friendlyExcited that tools were user-friendly Felt powerful about ability to plan and develop storiesFelt powerful about ability to plan and develop stories Could imagine themselves using storiesCould imagine themselves using stories Found it easy to create digital storiesFound it easy to create digital stories Excited that tools were user-friendlyExcited that tools were user-friendly Felt powerful about ability to plan and develop storiesFelt powerful about ability to plan and develop stories Could imagine themselves using storiesCould imagine themselves using stories

A Memorable Quote “…what is occurring because of that one simple little thing you have done (teaching digital storytelling) is really rather phenomenal. Remember your comment at the beginning of the training about – would it help if I could give you a technology tool that very quickly you could learn and use even if you don’t know anything about technology? I wondered when you said that how it could be done. Well, you did it and it has proven to be effective many times over with an unbelievable ripple effect as it is touching special education, ESL students, recent immigrants, parents of autistic children, and on and on.” – a high school teacher in Texas

Next Steps Workshops for Teachers and Faculty More Work with K-12 Students Greater Emphasis on Original Writing More Training on Creativity in Digital Photography More Instruction on Integrating Video Holding a Digital Storytelling Festival More Exploration of Copyright Issues Workshops for Teachers and Faculty More Work with K-12 Students Greater Emphasis on Original Writing More Training on Creativity in Digital Photography More Instruction on Integrating Video Holding a Digital Storytelling Festival More Exploration of Copyright Issues

Digital Storytelling Website