Digital Storytelling
Motivating and enthusing students to learn has been a skill that many teachers strive to master, but often fall short of achieving. This can be due to lack of resources, a non-stimulating curriculum or the fact that they generally don’t know how to captivate their audience. Digital storytelling is a tool that can generate interest, attention and motivation for the 'digital generation' students in today's classrooms (Robin, 2013). As we delve into the 21st century, I believe that this technological resource is extremely applicable and valuable in aiding our students to learn in a stimulating way.
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Burmark (2004) states that "integrating visual images with written text both enhances and accelerates student comprehension", furthermore suggesting that digital storytelling is an excellent tool in achieving this. I believe that when students are captivated and interested in the content presented to them, motivation and thus learning, comes much more naturally.
Digital storytelling also has the ability to facilitate discussion and make abstract or conceptual content more understandable (Robin, 2013). People tell stories to teach values and beliefs to others, and I believe that it is this oral transfer of knowledge that is so valuable in society today. It would seem foolish not to take advantage of a resource such as this that improves students language, media, listening, publishing, writing, oral, digital and many other skills.
Initially, I had to question the idea of ‘storytelling’ and if it had much educational benefit to the students on a regular basis. Melocco (2013) comments on some of the great advantages that digital storytelling can bring to the classroom and I highly regard what she has to say in terms of this technology being able to be incorporated in a wide range of subjects, from languages to the arts.
". . . Digital storytelling can be used to inspire, promote an idea and emphasize the human element of a subject… it lends itself to teaching languages, social sciences and the arts”. . .
(Melocco, 2013)
Digital Storytelling facilitates all kinds of skills, specifically focusing on seven elements including point of view, dramatic question, emotional content, gift of voice, power of soundtrack, economy and pacing. I was instantly drawn towards the ‘gift of your voice’ skill as this resource provides students with the opportunity to practice using technology to communicate in a meaningful and effective way. Australian businesses have an increasing focus on global marketing, thus, students need to become confident with the available technology in order to become efficient business people of the future. Digital storytelling provides students with the skills required to become confident in communicating information and ideas using online resources as opposed to the traditional 'face-to-face' method (Robin, 2013).
Clemen, S (2009)
Technology and digital media can play an extremely powerful role in the classroom, regardless of the subject or curriculum. Digital storytelling is a tool that can be adapted to suit the lesson plan and is teaching students how to apply technology in a meaningful and productive way. Sherri Clemen (2009) suggests in the clip above that 'technology helps to motivate and excite our 21st century learners... requiring research and information literacy skills'. There are many programs readily available that students can use to create a digital story, including Microsoft Powerpoint and Windows Movie Maker. I strongly believe that this tool is beneficial in our classrooms and can aid teachers to motivate and enthuse students to learn. After all, everyone has their own story to tell.
References:
- Burmark, L. (2004). Why visual literacy? Retrieved from:
http://mat-tech.net/COTF%20CD/WhyVisualLiteracy.pdf - Melocco, K. (n.d.). How to use digital storytelling to pitch better, sell faster and win more business. Retrieved from:
http://kathiemelocco.net.au/events-workshops/how-to-use-digital-storytelling-to-pitch-better-sell-faster-and-win-more-business/ - Robin, B. (2013). Educational uses of digital storytelling. Retrieved from:
http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/page.cfm?id=27&cid=27&sublinkid=29 - Youtube URL: Classroom Innovation with Digital Storytelling; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIkJnwD8OxE