Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights. - Digital Storytelling Association
The above quote was taken from a comprehensive website on digital storytelling http://electronicportfolios.org/digistory/. This website includes examples as to the many ways in which digital storytelling is utilized in Education, provides tools for creating and publishing digital stories, as well as international digital storytelling resources.
In my own words, a digital story is a short (usually five minutes or less) digital video clip which includes voice narration of a story accompanied by illustrations and/or still images and background music to add tone and feeling to the story. To see a digital story (less than 3 minutes in length) about how to make a digital story, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LknwS15wSx8.
5 comments:
I just got pulled in totally by the stories at the Center for Digital Storytelling site. It is a perfect format for people to tell their truth. Like the Story Corps and This I Believe NPR segments I hear this format of short, personal narratives seem so doable and yet I'm sure it's no easy task. I mean, if a participant understood the time and effort required to produce a 2 1/2 minute story would they be reluctant to do it? The beauty is in the process clearly. Each person I listened to shared a story of personal growth. I can imagine so many great uses for school projects. Wouldn't it be incredible to have a inspiring digital story by a student, teacher or parent telling their difficult journey to reading on the website?
I agree Mariah. There are so many possibilities for using a capability like this in school. I'm sure that learning the process in order to make your first digital story would be quite challenging. From the digital story on the YouTube link in my initial post it sounds like a potentially complex thing to learn. But, like most other things, after going through the process once it would probably be much easier from that point on.
I like your idea of a student telling their own story about how they developed a love for reading. Kids like to identify with other kids their own age so one student's story could easily inspire many others to see reading in a new and positive light.
I just read through the "Digital Storytelling finds its place in the classroom" article (linked from your link (http://electronicportfolios.org/digistory/)
How neat to think about fourth and fifth graders getting turned on to storytelling and thinking of themselves as writers. I see this as of particular importance for those students who don't normally like writing -- what an inventive, fun way to "trick" them into realizing that they have stories inside of them... just waiting to be told.
I wonder if book report (done on iMovie or similar) could be considered Digital Storytelling? Or does Storytelling imply that it is about a personal experience?
This is quite beautiful. I admit some reluctance to the phrase "digital storytelling" but I am convinced it is an art form in itself.
I already would like to find out what kind of tools or software are needed. Students could present these as reports, like Natalie said, and I think displaying on the website is excellent.
Natalie,
From what I have read so far I do not get the impression that digital stories have to be about personal experiences. This is a wonderful use for this tool, but a digital story can be about any kind of story. Discussing books students are reading would be a great way for them to analyze and express their opinions about books through the use of a new technological tool.
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