Digital Storytelling: What is it and How can it be Used in the Classroom?

If you haven't already heard about digital storytelling, you need to check it out! In the article, “7 Things You Should Know About DigitalStory Telling,” it defines digital storytelling as “ The practice of combining narrative with digital content, including images, sound, and video to create a short movie typically with strong emotional content. Another site, Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling sates that “Digital storytelling at its most basic core is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories.” In addition, Daniel Meadows defined digital stories as “short, personal multimedia tales told from the heart.”

The benefits of using Digital Stories in the classroom appear to be limitless. “7 Things You Should Know About Digital Story Telling” highlights the effectiveness of using this technique in the classroom: “Digital stories can be instructional, persuasive, historical, or reflective… giving the storyteller enormous creative latitude.”  Through digital storytelling, students can experience critical and independent thinking, while expressing individuality and creativity. The article continues to explain that “Among the initiative’s stated goals are, for faculty, to facilitate various learning styles and connect to students’ interest in technology, and, for students, to develop evaluate and use online content and electronic tools as a means of personal expression.”

I believe that digital storytelling would be an effective way to integrate technology and instruction into any subject area. For example, in the foreign language classroom, this method of instruction holds endless academic potential. I would have my French students create digital stories around various subject matters, from travel to family, and ask them to narrate in French. This would serve as excellent language practice, while at the same time allowing students to be creative and have fun!