Description
Session Description
Digital storytelling is the practice of using digital technology to tell stories. Digital stories are similar to traditional stories in that they have a purpose and present a particular point of view. Unlike traditional stories that rely primarily on text, digital stories are presented through a mix of modes: text, images, audio and video. Creating a digital story is a project that involves research, reflection and story production.
This workshop will introduce participants to digital storytelling in education as a powerful teaching and learning tool that increases student engagement and learning (Yang and Wu, 2012; Kocaman-Karoglu, 2016). Participants will learn digital storytelling’s 7 core elements as a framework for video production, and write a mini script before having a go at one application to create their own digital story. Workshop participants will also learn about the rationale for using this particular application and be briefly introduced to other options to choose from according to their comfort and knowledge level on video creation tools.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to reflect on how this teaching, learning and assessment approach can be applied into their own practice to deliver any subject. For example, digital storytelling has been used in medical education to promote reflective learning, and in accounting education to enhance students’ technical competence of the subject.
The workshop outline is:
The first step in this workshop is to introduce participants to the research supporting digital storytelling as an effective method for teaching, learning and assessment. Participants will then have a demonstration of the functions of Spark Adobe followed by the introduction of images, music and text to use the application and create a digital story. Once participants are familiar with the functions of Spark Adobe, they will work independently to create a 1 to 2 minutes digital story using the resources provided. Finally, the presenter will briefly present her rationale for using this application out of other options and answer questions.
This workshop fits into the theme of Participation through Learning Technology as it demonstrates how to use technology to work in partnership with learners and how to create engagement.
Session content: evaluation and reflection
Digital storytelling and the technology used to create a digital story was introduced as an alternative form of assessment to a group of 12 students taking the module Digital Skills for Academic Purposes at Liverpool International College. As the Module Coordinator, I engaged in a selection process and chose Spark Adobe as the most effective tool for students to engage in the creation of digital media. This application was selected from a variety of options currently on offer in the technology world by engaging in a reflective analysis of the benefits and constrains of this particular application. I will share my analysis and briefly present other options to colleagues new and advanced to the art of digital storytelling.
References
Kocaman-Karoglu, A. (2016). Personal voices in higher education: A digital storytelling experience for pre-service teachers. [Online].Education and Information Technologies, 21(5), 1153-1168. [Accessed 14 March 2018]. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10639-014-9373-1
Yang, Y. T. C., & Wu, W. C. I. (2012). Digital storytelling for enhancing student academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation: A year-long experimental study. [Online].Computers & Education, 59(2), 339-352. [Accessed 14 March 2018]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131511003289
Resources for participants
Internet
Headset with microphone
Laptop or Ipad/Iphone (app not available for other systems)
Access to GD to see materials for hands-on activity