Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling allows students to be able to create their own content with the use of technology, which is an imperative feature within their learning as part of generation c (Robin. 2008). It is essentially a tool to create a story but with other additional elements such as images, video and audio, which contribute to the storytelling experience(Robin. 2008). 

Another aspect of Digital Storytelling which is quite engaging for the students is; the use of visual and text sources side by side, which according to Robin; "accelerates student comprehension" (Robin. 2008). After one completes their digital story it can then be shared by uploading it to a website or burning it onto a disc (Robin. 2008). The fact that the story can so easily be shared on a moderately large scale means that the students as generations c are in their element and are therefore more engaged in the process.

Generally if Digital Storytelling is mentioned, one automatically assumes that is to do with simply the telling of stories. However, digital storytelling has a wide range of uses and is becoming more common in today's classrooms because of its affordable and user friendly nature (Robin. 2008. That fact that is technology based is, in itself a educational tool, as it is preparing the students for the use of technology beyond their schooling.

Digital Storytelling can be utilized as a presentation tool, which can be integrated "to enhance current lessons within a larger unit"(Robin. 2008), and to make complex concepts "more understandable"(Robin. 2008). Robin suggests that teachers can use Digital Storytelling for “facilitating discussion about the topics presented in a story and helping make abstract or conceptual content more understandable”(Robin. 2008) This relates to the use of Digital Storytelling programs to create a historical overview or an instructional story, in order to introduce students to a new concept (Robin. 2008). In regards to presenting the students with a historical Digital Story, Robin makes the suggestion of the inclusion newspaper articles and historical photographs in order to create a more genuine learning experience that the students will embrace (Robin. 2008).

An Example of a Digital story created by a teacher for a 3rd grade audience

Creating a Digital Story is an engaging experience for students, and "motivation is a critical ingredient in learning" (Robin. 2008). It is engaging for the students as it allows them to demonstrate their knowledge on particular subject matter, gives them the opportunity to interact with technology and allows them to be content creators. Through participating in a Digital Storytelling experience the students are also developing important  research skills, the ability to evaluate information, "the ability to express their opinions and construct meaningful narratives"(Robin. 2008).

References:

Robin, B. 2008. 'The Effective uses of Digital Storytelling as a Teaching and Learning Tool'. In Handbook of Research on Teaching Literacy through the Communicative and Visual Arts, Vol. 2, New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Robin, B. 2008. 'Digital Storytelling a Powerful Tool for the 21st Century Classroom'. Theory into Practice. Vol. 47, Issue 3; United States of America: Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group.

Digital Storytelling example: 'The Atypical Animal ABCs - Digital Storytelling Project'. [YouTube Video] Retrieved May 23, 2013 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNfzBdkOY-M