Digital storytelling

Hi everybody,

Don’t you want to be a movie maker of your own story? Don’t you want to be the director in charge of selecting, adding and modifying elements in a way that really serves your purpose and conveys your thoughts in a concise but impressive way? If the answer is yes then join me in my summary of a very illuminating workshop presented by Dr. Tricia Scott, entitled “ Storymaking with Windows Moviemaker ".

First, what is digital storytelling and how does it help in our classroom?

Digital storytelling is the integration of both writing and multimedia to tell a story of your choice; whether it is personal or imaginary.

However, digital storytelling has seven elements that should be taken into consideration:

1. Point of view or the purpose of telling the story

2. Dramatic question which means engaging your audience in your climax
3. Emotional content which means engaging the audience to make them want to listen to you through conveying a truth about yourself that no one knows about

4. The gift of voice by which the personality of paper comes alive

5. The power of sound music that stirs up an emotional response

6. Economy which means using only one written page and three minutes for the movie to covey what you want to say through visuals and recorded voice

7. Pacing which incorporates rhythm, punctuation, and a space for the listener to listen and reflect.

Now, having considered these seven elements you can set off on writing, creating a storyboard, and utilizing windows movie maker to record voice and images.

How does digital story helps in our classroom?
It enhances critical thinking, expository writing, and media literacy. It also teaches how to document real events and reflection, and how to narrow the focus through correct word choice in both the writing and the digital story.In conclusion, it is certainly the organization and the emotional appeal of using an authentic voice which make the digital story a unique experience to remember for both the teacher and the students.

Audience Response
Almost everybody liked the idea of using technology in a creative way to motivate students of all ages to get involved. One of the responses, however, claimed that this technique can only be used once or twice throughout the course. Well, personally I’d say that using this technique would involve all of the students over a long period of time that would allow them to do their research for authentic material, to document it, and to make up a unique story. This alone would certainly have an everlasting impression.