digital storytelling

DIGITAL STORYTELLING

"WE ARE OUR STORIES. WE COMPRESS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, THOUGHT, AND EMOTION INTO A FEW COMPACT NARRATIVES THAT WE CONVEY

TO OTHERS AND TELL TO OURSELVES.“ - DANIEL PINK, A WHOLE NEW MIND

Brian GrenierTechnical Site Coordinator, El Paso ISD

[email protected]

http://bumpontheblog.etowns.net

http://classroomtech.pbwiki.com

A Quick Exercise

List three events that have had a major impact on, or stood out in,

your life?

Handouts: http://classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Today’s Objectives

• What is digital storytelling?• Why is digital storytelling important in our

classrooms?• What are the elements of a digital story?• What process do we go through in writing digital

stories?• What tools are available to assist me in creating

digital stories?• Creation and showcase of our own digital stories.• Many examples!


What is Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power through weaving images, music, video and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, and insights.

-adapted from Digital Storytelling Institute


Why Digital Storytelling is Important

Helps develop visual and multimedia literacy. Provides students with a competitive and compelling voice. Helps students write more effectively. Encourages self-directed, self-motivated learning experiences. Teaches technology, information, and visual literacy. Engages our students in their learning. Learning taking place at the upper level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Addresses Texas Technology Application TEKS, specifically

under the communication strand. Encourages cross-curricular learning. Finally…


Power of Images


Elements of a Digital Story

Point (of View) Dramatic Question Emotional Content The Gift of Your Voice Soundtrack Economy Pacing


Point (of View)

Stories are told to make a point. Every part of the

story can service this point.

Audience may forget the story, but remember the point.

Defining the point can be difficult.


Point (of View)

Tell the story in a first-person point-of-view. Makes the story more

personal Tends to increase

your our attention as we listen


Point (of View)


Dramatic Question

Well-crafted stories set up tension from the beginning. Romance – “Will the

girl get the guy?” Adventure – “Will the

hero reach the goal?” Murder mystery –

“Who did it?” When the question is

answered, the story is over.


Dramatic Question


Emotional Content

Good stories contain a common theme everyone can relate to. Love Loss Vulnerability Acceptance


Emotional Content


The Gift of Your Voice

Think about conversations…what do we listen for?

Reading vs. reciting the script

Speak slowly and in a conversational style.

Keep the script writing terse.


The Gift of Your Voice


Soundtrack

What soundtrack is running in your head?

How has music “tricked” you in the past?

Lyrical vs. instrumental music Beware of copyright

infringement Get permission if you are going

to: Make money directly or indirectly Broadcast your story

Many copyright-free collections available to you.


Soundtrack


Economy

Two tracks happening simultaneously (audio and visual)

“I'm sorry this letter is so long, but I did not have time to make it shorter.”

Can your story be told effectively with a relatively small amount of text and images?

Explicit vs. implicit illustration


Economy


Pacing

Considered by many to be the true secret of storytelling.

Moto-meter Fast paced –

urgency, action, nervousness, excitement

Slow paced – contemplation, romanticism, relaxation, simple pleasure

Keeps our attention


Pacing


Digital Storytelling Process

1. Write, then write some more.2. Storyboard3. Locate Resources4. Create5. Share


Write

Strategies to get started or overcome blank page syndrome 4x6 index cards Writing prompts Creating a story

from a set of pictures

Getting into the scene

Building blocks of a good story –Ira Glass


“Priceless”


Write

You have 30 minutes to write your own “Priceless” story. Keep in mind that you are telling a story in digital format. Keep the length of your story to five to six lines.


Storyboard

Method to plan out your story in two dimensions Time Interaction

Images, script, transitions, soundtrack

Each line takes about ten seconds to read

3-4 seconds is ideal length for images to appear

Storyboard template example


Locate Resources

Copyright issues Creative Commons

Images MusicFlickrFlickrStormPics4LearningFlickrCCFree Stock Images

CC MixterFreeplaymusic.comFree Play Music Find Sounds Flash Kit


Create


Share

TeacherTube YouTube Learning

Village NextVista.org


Showcase

digital storytelling

Education

view handouts

voice handouts

soundtrack handouts

address http

economy handouts

attention handouts

priceless handouts

share handouts