Digital stories begin with an idea that is made more concrete by writing a proposal, crafting a paragraph, or using other pre-writing tools. Students then research and learn about their topic to build a base of information for their story. They plan their story visually with a storyboard that maps out images, video, and script. Finally, students gather and create the images, audio, and video for their story, then combine these elements and share their finished digital story.

1. Start with an Idea
All stories begin with an idea, and
digital stories are no different. This idea
could be the topic of a lesson, a
chapter heading in a textbook, or a
question asked in class. Digital stories
might be fiction or non-fiction. Once
you or your student have an idea, make
it concrete: write a proposal, craft a
paragraph, draw a mind-map, or use
any other pre-writing tool.

2. Brainstorming an idea
Simple Rules For Effective Mind Maps
Think of the central idea and write it down in the middle.
Think of related ideas and place them radially around the
central idea. Connect all ideas with meaningful
relationships.
Use lines, colored lines, shapes, pictures, etc. to graphically
describe ideas and relationships.
Leave lots of space between ideas because
new filler ideas and relationships will come
in as the mind map grows.
Go with the flow.

3. Mind Mapping example

4. Mind Mapping example two
Main Idea – The Importance of Exercise
First Subtopic – Exercise makes the physical body healthier
Detail – – Positive effect on heart
Detail – Positive effect on lungs
Detail – Positive effect on bones and joints
Second Subtopic – Exercise affects emotional health
Detail – Feelings of accomplishment
Detail – Body image
Detail – Endorphins
Third Subtopic – Different Types Of Exercises and their benefits
Detail – Stretching
Detail – Anaerobic
Detail – Aerobic
Fourth Subtopic – Exercise and its benefit throughout life
Detail – Adults
Detail – Seniors
Detail –Children
Conclusion – Wrap up, recap main ideas, and come to a strong conclusion about the
topic.

5. Research/Explore/Learn
Whether writing a fiction or nonfiction
digital story, students need to
research, explore or learn about the
topic in order to create a base of
information on which the story will be
built. During this process, students
learn both about validating
information and information bias as
they delve deeper into a topic.

6. Storyboard/Plan
Good stories start with a good script, but they don’t end
there. This is where we transition into visual media
literacies.
George Lucas once said, “If people aren’t taught the
language of sound and images, shouldn’t they be
considered as illiterate as if they left college without
being able to read or write?”
Storyboarding is the first step towards understanding sound
and images. It is the plan or blueprint that will guide
decision making about images, video and sound.
Simple storyboards will just have room for images/video
and the script. More advanced ones might even include
room for transitions, and background music.

7. What does a storyboard look like?

8. Partial Story Board example

9. Gather and Create Images, Audio and Video
• This is the “stuff” that makes magic happen and
writing come alive. Using their storyboard as a
guide, students will gather – or create – images,
audio and video. Everything they choose will
impact and set the tone for their digital story.
Introduce concepts such as visual hierarchy,
tone, and illustration. This is also a great time to
talk about Copyright, Fair Use, and Creative
Commons. Students should use this time to
record themselves reading their scripts. I have
often noticed that students rewrite their scripts
as they record. Through this step in the process,
they become acutely aware of mistakes and
poor word choices.

10. Put It All Together
• This is where the magic happens – where
students discover if their storyboard needs
tweaking and if they have enough “stuff” to
create their masterpiece, blending images,
creating unique transitions between video
clips, incorporating music or sound effects

11. Share—You will upload your work to
Youtube—email me if you have
problems doing that.
Upload

12. Reflection and Feedback--You will write an
evaluative essay on someone’s DS.

13. This powerpoint modified from
http://www.edudemic.com/8-stepsto-great-digital-storytelling/