Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling was another mode of Instructional Technology we learned about. This technology gives the teachers the ability to create a story about anything they choose- digitally. This is wonderful for the special needs students in the classroom. These students need help with transitioning from one phase to another, doctors’ appointments, things out of the norm, and any new experience.  Digital storytelling is a way for teachers to ease these students into comfort confidence in their new experiences. Digital storytelling is also a great opportunity for the typical students in the classroom. They are able to create something all their own to show their learning in the classroom.

Students are asked to be creative when using digital storytelling to present understanding to the class. They would be asked to create a story using an app that shows their learning of the subject being taught. For example, the student would create digital story about a book they were asked to read in class. They may use an app such as Little Bird Tales to voice record themselves talking about the certain book or retelling it. This is a way for the students to get creative with the activity and gain confidence and ease presenting. They are able to make the presentation and story their own and it is up to their creativity to do something wonderful with it!

Students collaborate while creating a digital story by working with one another to create a script or a plan for the story. They must work together to plan what to do and what information to include. Collaboration is key in this method. Students are given a well of information to draw from and asked to work with their peers in order to come up with the most important parts of that information! They also have to collaborate with the teacher while doing the story. They will need help from the teacher about what information to include and how they need to organize it within their digital story.

Critical thinking is also key for digital storytelling. Students have to think deep enough to create a story that will help their classmates understand the material being covered. Whether that be a book reflection or a digital story about a life in a time period. The students are asked to give their perspective of the story or to look at it from another character’s point of view. This requires them to put themselves into the character’s place which requires critical thinking. They must use their judgement to create the story.

Communication is facilitated through digital storytelling because when used in certain ways, it carries a student through something difficult for them. The student is able to see you communicating through the story to them. Digital stories are also a way for students to communicate with us. The students who have disabilities and are nonverbal could benefit from digital stories. They could use pre-made stories to tell us how they feel or what they need. This could help them with anxiety and break the communication barrier between these students and their teachers!