Digital Storytelling An Introduction to Bernard Robin, Ph.D. 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

Digital Storytelling (digital: documentaries, narratives, essays, etc) 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 Overall Purpose of the Story Narrator’s Point of View A Dramatic Question (or Questions) Choice of Content Clarity of Voice Pacing of the Narrative Meaningful Soundtrack Quality of the Images Economy of the Story Detail 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 Digital storytelling script is a first person narrative 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.

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

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 Photo Story, MovieMaker, iMovie, or PowerPoint

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

Tools for Creating Digital Stories Microsoft Photo Story Apple iMovie Microsoft PowerPoint Adobe Photoshop Elements Many other software options

A Few Words about Copyright Copyright Disclaimer: Many of the digital stories on this 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.

Impressions of Student Teachers Found it easy to create digital stories Excited that tools were user-friendly Felt empowered by ability to plan and develop digital stories Could imagine themselves using digital stories in their classrooms

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