What do Honda, the music band Train, 9th grade literature students, Margaret Atwood, George Clooney, and the epic poet Homer have in common? Why, Odysseus King of Ithaca of course!
Odysseus, the great hero of the Trojan War, sets off on a journey (an odyssey like the Honda van) to reach his wife and child - except he gets a little sidetracked by the immortal goddess Calypso, “the one without a permanent scar” (Train’s “Drops of Jupiter). All ninth grade literature students get the pleasure of reading this epic poem, complete with Margaret Atwood’s poem “The Siren’s Song” and a discussion of the movie Oh, Brother Where Art Thou starring George Clooney.
Now, instead of just telling the students what is coming for the unit, imagine being able to give them a sneak peak before they read; a sneak peak complete with video, narration, audio, pictures, and more! According to The University of Houston’s website, digital storytelling “is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories.” The following are some traits of digital storytelling:
*focus on a specific topic
*are told from a particular point of view
*contain a variety of images, audio clips, videos, and narration
*usually between 2 and 10 minutes in length
*can be used for a plethora of topics (historical, personal, literary, etc)
Teachers could incorporate digital storytelling in their classrooms in many ways. This hands-on activity could be used for introduction activities, culminating activities, and attention grabbers. For media specialists, this is a wonderful way to collaborate with teachers and work with students. Since various types of software (Adobe, Apple iMovie, QuickTime Pro, Microsoft Photo Story, Windows Live, etc) is needed, the SLMS would be a great resource for teachers and students. In his or her own media center, a school library media specialist could use Digital Storytelling to spotlight new titles in the center, various happenings with the program, and the like.
The following are the seven main elements of Digital Storytelling and should be included in each:
1. Point of View: Choose an effective person to tell your story.
2. Dramatic Question: Pose a question that will be answered throughout the story.
3. Emotional Content: Connect your story with social issues in which your audience is interested.
4. Voice: Use your voice for narration to capture their attention.
5. Soundtracks: Use some music or sound that enhances your story.
6. Economy: Use enough content to get the audience’s attention but without spoiling the entire topic.
7. Pacing: Set an appropriate pace for your story based on the topic and your audience.
Visit The University of Houston’s website at http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/index.html for examples, tips, ways to create your own digital story, rubrics for your students, and other resources.
I like the idea of using digital storytelling to introduce a lesson and grab the attention of the students! This attention grabber will heighten the students learning of the lesson, especially when they learn, they will be charged to create their own digital story. Today’s students need to be engaged and need to have hands-on activities to get and keep their attention. Without such activities, a teacher will constantly be doing reviews of units and lessons. This type of teaching and learning is exhaustive and undesirable for both parties. Allowing students to become creators they too become learners, even to the point of teaching their peers. However as media specialist and future media specialist, we can take the reins and provide professional development on digital storytelling to the teachers and the learning community at large. We can also teach the students and show examples of quality digital stories created by their peers to assist them in creating a professional product. As technology continues to surround us, we as educators must embrace the change and step up to the plate. Educators can no longer teach to the mass, but must allow students to become more engaged in the learning process.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a digital story is the perfect way to introduce a unit. Movie producers do it all the time with movie trailers.
ReplyDeleteI think digital storytelling is a create way to all students to make sense of their own learning and be accountable for their own learning. Then, the end product helps other students review or learn things they may have missed.
You had me at HOMER! I just started this unit with my 9th grade students, and after reading your blog, I just WISH that I could go back, create a digital storytelling experience and begin again! What an exceptional idea! Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteTo me, digital storytelling is here to stay. I think that the older method of "Discovery lessons" are slowly being replaced by the concept of digital storytelling. Things can come alive, and a student can see all of the influences of a piece of literature, or a mathematical or scientific discovery in modern day society. By helping students to make these connections, the learning that occurs is meaningful and deeper. Isn't that our goal as educators?
As a future library media specialist, I think that creating the digital storytelling pieces will be relevant and essential. What better way to collaborate with teachers! Thanks, too, for providing your seven steps checklist. This is a simplified way to approaching the task!
Jennifer
Do you have a digital story that includes all of these elements? If so, I'd love to be in your 9th grade lit class (or at least watch your digital video). You are so right that digital storytelling makes an impact that "telling" alone could never when you say, " Now, instead of just telling the students what is coming for the unit, imagine being able to give them a sneak peak before they read."
ReplyDeleteThank you for including a link to the University of Houston's site. Although I have read through that site I didn't think to look for a rubric until you mentioned it so I went to the evaluate tab and pulled up the rubric. I really like that the rubric includes the same seven elements that students will be given in the instruction in beginning the task of creating a digital story. The rubric could also serve as a guide throughout the creative purpose. In addition to this, students could use the rubric to evaluate sample digital stories before beginning with creating their own. I will definitely make sure to include the rubric in my own digital storytelling project.http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/pdfs/samplerubric.pdf
I love you post! The word splash was a great touch! Digital storytelling is a very interesting technology to me. I want to know how to use it effectivly in my classroom, and maybe even get the kids involved in the creative process. I did my tech tip on a digital storytelling tool, and found it to be very entertaining! Our kids are so visual. Storytelling tools are just what we need to get them motivated! Great Post!
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