This document discusses digital storytelling, which uses digital tools to tell stories focusing on a specific topic or viewpoint that are typically 2-10 minutes long. Digital stories contain a mixture of images, text, audio narration, video clips, and music. They follow seven elements of storytelling and can be created by teachers or students for various classroom uses, such as demonstrating content or developing skills. Benefits include enhancing learning, fostering critical thinking, and promoting digital literacy. Examples and resources for creating digital stories are also provided.
2. What are Digital Stories?
Stories that are told through the use
of digital tools
Focus on a specific topic or point of
view
Vary in length (most often 2-10
minutes)
Can be used for any topic
(history, personal
narrative, math, retelling a
story, etc.)
3. Contain a mixture of:
Computer-based images
Text
Recorded audio narration
Video clips
Music
4. 7 Elements of Story Telling
Find your story. (what will get your point across best)
Map your story. (how do you want to tell it)
Capture your audience’s attention right away, and keep it. (ex. Dramatic
question)
Tell your story from your unique point of view. (don’t overload with
information, just say important parts)
Use fresh and vivid language (be clear and specific)
Integrate emotion – yours and the audience’s. (create a tone and keep with it)
Use your own voice, in the script and in the audio. (be sure to pace yourself)
5. How Can I Use Digital Stories in my
Classroom?
Teacher Created Uses Student Created Uses
Pre-teaching vocabulary Demonstrating learned content
Building background knowledge Retelling information
Reviewing newly learned concepts Sharing student work
Assessing student learning Executing technological skills
Assessing student technological skill Creating original products
development
Retelling a story for ESL learner
6. Benefits of Digital Storytelling
Encourages research Enhances learning by encouraging
students to communicate effectively
Fosters critical thinking skills
Helps students make a connection
Encourages students to write and to
work at becoming better writers Encourages creativity
Gives students a voice Works well with portfolio
assessment
Tells a personal narrative
Promotes digital literacy
Helps students retain knowledge
longer
9. Helpful Sites
Little Bird Tales – Allows pictures to be loaded along with words and audio;
user friendly; available on the app store
Microsoft Word | Learning Guides – Great guides available for teachers along
with rubrics and templates
Digital Storytelling with the iPad – Apps for storytelling (all-in-
one, storyboarding/layout, scripting/writing, images, and audio)
Discovery Education – Provides a description, rubrics and
storyboards, examples, and tools and resources
Voice Thread – Add images, video, and audio to build a story
Voice Thread For Education Wiki – Support of teachers on how to use voice
thread; separated by grades
10. Lesson Plans
Digital Wish – A long list of lesson plans from grade K-12 using digital
storytelling
Unit Plan – A week long unit plan using digital storytelling by having students
create a story
Scholastic – A lesson plan of sharing culture through digital storytelling
Digital Storytelling Worksheet – A Microsoft Word document that is a prepared
worksheet for students to write out the different parts that need to be in a digital
storytelling
11. References
Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
Includes: Examples, Software, Essentials, Create, Evaluate, Web 2.0 & Links
Microsoft in Education | Teaching Guides
Digital storytelling in the classroom
Includes: Rubrics, templates, and guides
Example Digital Storytelling
Scott County Student Digital Stories