Why Digital Storytelling?

By Amy E. AyersEME 5050

In my Technology class this week, we were asked to think about the benefit

of Digital Storytelling in our classroom.

• What is it? • How do I begin?• Why use it?• What are the benefits?

It made me think……..

Thinking about how we grew up….Storytelling was probably presented

verbally or reading from a book…

But today’s Digital Kids need more…

Digital kids learn best by….

• Hands-on interaction• Multi-tasking• Utilizing digital media• Collaboration • and Social networking

And so much more…..

As teachers, what can we do to—

Capture

Inspire

Reach

Motivate

Encourage

and Support

Stimulate

Awaken

Excite

Our students?

One way is through

Digital Storytelling

Now, you may be thinking…. Digital

Storytelling? What is that?

Digital Storytelling is a “Digital Explanation”

It can be….– An actual traditional story– A teachable concept or idea– A presentation of a chapter, book or text– An experiment or demonstration– A ‘how-to’ exercise– A sharing of thoughts

Or whatever YOU want it to be!

Digital Storytelling integrates technology like….

• Photos• Movie clips• Music• Voice or sounds• Links• Graphics• Animation • and Text

To give the message

To make a point

To explain

And to reach

All to….

Where do I start?Digital Story telling comes in many forms, such as:

– PowerPoint Presentations– Slideshows– Podcasts– Movies– Videos– or Animations

We need to understand our kids today…

• They need more than the “traditional-style” teaching• Their brains are wired differently• They are using technology at younger and younger ages —they aren’t afraid of it • They multitask • They learn best by many modes of instruction and

need to interact with them to grow and learn.

Ask yourself---Why should I?

Guess What?

Instead of requiring that old boring type of “book report”—your students can create a digital storytelling project….

Let Your students…..

Collaborate Share

Explore

Learn

ExpressBe the teacher

And the benefits?

• With digital storytelling you are opening up a whole new presentation style to your students

• You will be meeting the needs that the students need to grow and learn

• You will be reaching, inspiring, captivating, teaching, and feeding their brains the way they are wired to work.

We need to move forward with our students….

We need to incorporate the technologies they are used to.

We need to move forward with our students….

We need to give them the opportunity to use “different technologies” in our classroom.

We need to move forward with our students….

We need to prepare them for the digital world that is constantly changing.

We need to move forward with our students….

We need to facilitate and let them take the lead.

We need to move forward with our students….

We need to give them the skills they need to be successful and competitive in the 21st century!

• Make a plan• Pick the technologies you want to use

• Take a risk and try it out• Move forward• Create, share and collaborate

• Have fun!

So…Give it a Go!

Be the change….

Make it happen and do it for the kids.

Shelly, G.,  Gunter, G., & Gunter, R. (2010). Integrating technology and classroom media in the classroom.  Boston: course technology.

Digital storytelling in plain English

Music by: Disney’s Official Album-Tree of Life

References