Digital Storytelling

DIGITAL STORYTELLING "WE ARE OUR STORIES. WE COMPRESS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, THOUGHT, AND EMOTION INTO A FEW COMPACT NARRATIVES THAT WE CONVEY TO OTHERS AND TELL TO OURSELVES.“ - DANIEL PINK, A WHOLE NEW MIND Brian Grenier Technical Site Coordinator, El Paso ISD [email_address] http://bumpontheblog.etowns.net http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

A Quick Exercise List three events that have had a major impact on, or stood out in, your life? Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Today’s Objectives

What is digital storytelling?

Why is digital storytelling important in our classrooms?

What are the elements of a digital story?

What process do we go through in writing digital stories?

What tools are available to assist me in creating digital stories?

Creation and showcase of our own digital stories.

Many examples!

Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

What is Digital Storytelling Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power through weaving images , music , video and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, and insights. -adapted from Digital Storytelling Institute Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Why Digital Storytelling is Important

Helps develop visual and multimedia literacy.

Provides students with a competitive and compelling voice.

Helps students write more effectively.

Encourages self-directed, self-motivated learning experiences.

Teaches technology, information, and visual literacy.

Engages our students in their learning.

Learning taking place at the upper level of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Addresses Texas Technology Application TEKS, specifically under the communication strand.

Encourages cross-curricular learning.

Finally…

Power of Images Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Elements of a Digital Story

Point (of View)

Dramatic Question

Emotional Content

The Gift of Your Voice

Soundtrack

Economy

Pacing

Point (of View)

Stories are told to make a point.

Every part of the story can service this point.

Audience may forget the story, but remember the point.

Defining the point can be difficult.

Point (of View)

Tell the story in a first-person point-of-view.

Makes the story more personal

Tends to increase your our attention as we listen

Point (of View) Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Dramatic Question

Well-crafted stories set up tension from the beginning.

Romance – “Will the girl get the guy?”

Adventure – “Will the hero reach the goal?”

Murder mystery – “Who did it?”

When the question is answered, the story is over.

Dramatic Question Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Emotional Content

Good stories contain a common theme everyone can relate to.

Love

Loss

Vulnerability

Acceptance

Emotional Content Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

The Gift of Your Voice

Think about conversations…what do we listen for?

Reading vs. reciting the script

Speak slowly and in a conversational style.

Keep the script writing terse.

The Gift of Your Voice Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Soundtrack

What soundtrack is running in your head?

How has music “tricked” you in the past?

Lyrical vs. instrumental music

Beware of copyright infringement

Get permission if you are going to:

Make money directly or indirectly

Broadcast your story

Many copyright-free collections available to you.

Soundtrack Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Economy

Two tracks happening simultaneously (audio and visual)

“ I'm sorry this letter is so long, but I did not have time to make it shorter.”

Can your story be told effectively with a relatively small amount of text and images?

Explicit vs. implicit illustration

Economy Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Pacing

Considered by many to be the true secret of storytelling.

Moto-meter

Fast paced – urgency, action, nervousness, excitement

Slow paced – contemplation, romanticism, relaxation, simple pleasure

Keeps our attention

Pacing Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Digital Storytelling Process

Write, then write some more.

Storyboard

Locate Resources

Create

Share

Write

Strategies to get started or overcome blank page syndrome

4x6 index cards

Writing prompts

Creating a story from a set of pictures

Getting into the scene

Building blocks of a good story –Ira Glass

“Priceless” Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

Write

You have 30 minutes to write your own “Priceless” story. Keep in mind that you are telling a story in digital format. Keep the length of your story to five to six lines.

Storyboard

Method to plan out your story in two dimensions

Time

Interaction

Images, script, transitions, soundtrack

Each line takes about ten seconds to read

3-4 seconds is ideal length for images to appear

Storyboard template example

Locate Resources

Copyright issues

Creative Commons

Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com Images Music Flickr FlickrStorm Pics4Learning FlickrCC Free Stock Images CC Mixter Freeplaymusic.com Free Play Music Find Sounds Flash Kit

Create Handouts: http:// classroomtech.pbwiki.com

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