The many uses of digital storytelling

In researching for our upcoming presentation on the topic, I attempted to find my way through the seemingly endless topics that fall under the category of “Digital Storytelling.” I have to admit, I am a bit jealous that students today have so many options to express themselves, share their ideas, and generally just learn in a different medium. (I wish I had so many options available when I was a kid!) I am impressed by the amount of real learning that can take place with the appropriate technology. As a teacher, I would love to open my classrooms up to this ever-growing field of learning.

I think it is very easy to think of storytelling as something that happens orally, from person-to-person, or within the pages of a book. However, we can tell stories through (digital) photographs, sounds, music, videos, blogs, and so much more. We can compile sound, image and text to create a project that is so much more expressive and creative than anything we can do with paper and pen. “Reflection” need not be something we do orally, in a large circle (as explained in High Tech Reflection Strategies Make Learning Stick). A project need not be in essay format (as described in David’s example in 7 things you should know about Digital Storytelling).

The main benefit about all of the different methods of digital storytelling is just that—the choices! Differentiation suddenly becomes attainable, as teachers can provide multiple modes of learning, means of instruction, and methods to show learning. We can accurately assess our students’ knowledge by allowing them to excel in whatever style of learning works best for them. If they are hesitant about writing, let them pre-write and organize their story through Comic Life. If they struggle to orally describe their thoughts, let them blog or express their ideas through images or sound. As teachers, if we have these options for differentiation, why would we not use them? Why would we limit our students with just one means of storytelling, when there are so many options available?

As the article, The Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling explains, Digital Storytelling “can be very time consuming.” It can require much study and practice by us, in order to make the best use of this educational resource. But this technology is vast and varied, and what works well for one teacher or student may not be useful for another. I believe it is worth the time and practice, and I’m excited to share what I have learned with the class on Monday.

~Marie Larson