Digital storytelling overview

Learning Technology ServicesInspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu


What is Digital Storytelling?• “involves combining narrative with digital

content to create a short movie.” (Educause)• “short, first person video-narrative created by

combining recorded voice, still and moving images, and music or other sounds.” (Center for Digital Storytelling)

• “has become generally associated with a short video overlapping written and recorded voiceover with still and moving images, and often a soundtrack” (UW-Madison)


Some Examples• An Explanation

– http://academictech.doit.wisc.edu/ideas/digitalstorytelling/explanation• The Mountain

– http://www.storycenter.org/stories/index.php?cat=8• Resaved

– http://storiesforchange.net/node/2057• Children See, Children do

– http://storiesforchange.net/node/2003• What the Water Gave Me

– http://www.creativenarrations.net/node/16

http://academictech.doit.wisc.edu/ideas/digitalstorytelling/explanation

http://www.storycenter.org/stories/index.php?cat=8

http://storiesforchange.net/node/2057

http://storiesforchange.net/node/2003

http://www.creativenarrations.net/node/16


What’s needed?

• A purpose — “it’s cool” is not a purpose• A story• Artifacts (pictures, audio, movies, etc.)• An assembly tool (the technology)• Planning & Work• Time


What Is the Important Part?

• The narrative, or story, is most important• Ensure that you and students focus on story• The story needs to have a focus, or point• Using a technology for assembly is necessary,

but should not be the focus


About the Stories

• Students should write from the heart• Students must consider their content before

starting (lest they regret sharing something too personal)

• Stories must be told in first person (I or We)• Stories should be shared with other students,

instructors


Getting Started

• Give students advanced notice– Ask them to think about topic before choosing

• Encapsulate the stories– Have students reduce stories to 300-500 words

• Have an informal story circle– Students share initial stories before starting on

project


Choosing Stories

• Allow students to choose their own stories• You may choose to guide them based on

course– “I chose this major because…”– “I want to be a teacher because…”– “I am really influnced by this expert in my field”

• For this to really work, students must be able to share their own voice, thoughts, feelings


Limits• Limit stories to 3-4 minutes—5 minutes max• Define limits by course, subject area, if desired– Related to course/field of study– Subjects, areas you don’t want covered

• Discourage use of copyrighted music, images• Encourage use of Creative Commons or non-

copyrighted materials– Creative Commons area on Flickr– Dig CCMixter (http://dig.ccmixter.org/) for music

http://dig.ccmixter.org/


Working

• Students work over a period of time– Separate different parts by days/weeks

• Initial story idea & Sharing• Storyboarding & Writing• Gathering/Creating Artifacts• Assembly/production• Final sharing & Feedback

• Instructor is available for questions, feedback• Instructor provides resources for free artifacts


What About the Technology?

• Simpler is better• Should be something that all students have• Some training, instruction may be needed• Focus on basic features, not flashy options• Remind students that simpler is better– Not too many random transitions, etc.– Focus on story, not technology


After the Fact

• Students share completed stories with class– Required, which is why students should choose

their subject/story carefully

• Upload to online story sites, elsewhere, if students give permission– If uploading, get release forms & keep on file

• Let students know ahead of time that uploading is an option, not a requirement


How Do I Grade It?

• Determine priorities first:– How much the story & technology should count

• Explore other rubrics• Develop your own– Based on examples you have seen – Specific to your needs & wants– With student input?

• Make expectations clear to students!


Sample Rubrics• http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/DS-Project-Guidelines-2010.html

• http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1930050&

• http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/PDFs/Rubrics/rubric.pdf

• http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/PDFs/Rubrics/digstorysample.pdf

• http://www.techteachers.com/digstory/gradclass/rubrics.htm

• http://www.jasonohler.com/storytelling/assessment.cfm

http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/DS-Project-Guidelines-2010.html

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1930050&

http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/PDFs/Rubrics/rubric.pdf


Feedback: Student to Student

• Make expectations clear to students– Critical, but constructive– Suggestions for improvement– Praise good work/good parts– No personal attacks– Don’t take it personal!

• Instructor chooses whether or not to include student-student feedback in grading


Where Do I Start?

• Look at current course – where DS might help• Plan ahead of time• Determine milestones in course (deadlines)• Have information for students– Where to check out still or motion cameras– Where to find images, music– Where to get help on software, if needed

• Show students good examples


Resources• Center for Digital Storytelling– http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html

• Stories for Change– http://storiesforchange.net/

• Digital Storytelling at UW-Madison– http://academictech.doit.wisc.edu/ideas/digitalstorytelling

• Digital Storytelling Cookbook• Digital Storytelling: Capturing Lives, Creating Community

http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html

http://storiesforchange.net/

http://academictech.doit.wisc.edu/ideas/digitalstorytelling

Education

Digital storytelling overview