Copyright 2014 Rincker et. al., Purdue University Calumet

1. Why Digital Storytelling is a
Great Learning Tool
Dr. Meg Rincker, Assistant Professor of Political Science
Leslie Fusinato, PUC Student, Political Science
Jason Schultz, PUC Grad, Political Science, Class of 2013

2. Overview
• What Digital Storytelling (DS) Is
• Why I assign DS to my students
• Student Examples of their Digital Stories
Process/and the Outcomes
• Your questions and comments

3. What Digital Storytelling Is
• Digital Storytelling is a process where learners
create a short 2-4 minute “movie,” featuring their
voice-over script, images, and background events.
• Ex. Facebook Status Posts vs.
Your Facebook movie
-dynamic, over time
-select most important moments
-synced to music for emphasis

4. Why I assign Digital Stories
• I don’t have to be an expert in a technology to
assign it to students!
Expectations, Logistics, management.
• We are at the Premier Engineering University in
world, people expect our students to be tech-savvy.
• Students know more tech already, or can figure out
more than we give them credit for.
• It helped get Matteo Renzi appointed
Youngest Italian Prime Minister.

5. Generally, A Two Week Process
-Before Semester starts, identify lab space or request
software install.
-Thursday - Kristin Norris, IUPUI did Google
Chat, giving live PowerPoint on Digital Story
process.
– Tuesday- Students bring “Storyboard,” a script to
class. I review/revise scripts; they gather images.
– Thursday- Students have class time to record
script, finalize putting images to words and music.
– Saturday 10:59 pm CST- Students sent me a
YouTube link their “unlisted” Digital Stories.

6. From Storyboard to Movie (Leslie)
• What Storyboard is
– Script
– Highlighting Key Words Gather Images save to Flash Drive
• Import Images to movie-making software
(PhotoStory, Imovie, Windows Movie Maker).
• Record script in software, fit images and music (karaoke)
files to script.
Leslie’s Digital Story on Global Counter-Terrorism
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmi28DpkCiM&feature
=youtube

7. What We Learned From Making a
Digital Story (Jason)
• Status Quo of A Policy Issue
• Presentation using Emotional Appeal
• Build Connections From Isolated Issue to Other Related
Issues
Jason’s Digital Story on Conventional Ammunition
Stockpiles
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mVpeV1Anps&fe
ature=youtu.be

8. Challenges
• Getting Music Volume Right
• Recording Smooth Narration
• Fitting Images longer to fill narration
• Deciding whether to use the laptop/computer you
know, versus using someone else’s machine that gives you
access to easier software, microphone etc.
• Look on Youtube for quick tutorials on
Imovie, PhotoStory, Windows Movie Maker.

9. Rewards!!
• Instructor : variety in types of assignments to
grade.
• Student: a concrete deliverable/product they
can show an employer or post on LinkedIn.
• Knowing video will be seen/shared increases
the quality of the student’s final product.

10. Questions?
• Your thoughts or comments on ways to use
Digital Stories in your classes…