Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling has many definitions, but usually involves the telling of our personal stories combining digital technology to integrate text, sound, graphics and sometimes film. It is a great way for students to begin working with multimedia projects because they tell their own story, learning the techniques and technical tools of this kind of creative expression, but within a familiar context.

OTF Connects – Digital Storytelling from Brenda Sherry

Technology and Digital Stories

Digital stories involve some or all of these components:

  • an engaging and well written story
  • slides or clips
  • backgrounds
  • graphics or images
  • text
  • sounds, narration and/or music
  • a transition to move from slide to slide or clip to clip
  • a title slide and an ending slide that lists credits

7 Elements of Digital Stories

  • Audience – Stories have a particular audience in mind.
  • Purpose – Stories are trying to accomplish a task (inform, educate, entertain, scare, etc.)
  • Content – Content must be meaningful. Digital content adds to the story.
  • Voice – Stories are told from a specific perspective(s) and uses the tellers voice to enrich the story.
  • Technology – Technology is used to extend the story.
  • Connections – Good stories connect with the participants.
  • Economy – Stories tell enough to get the point across and no more.

Adapted from the Center for Digital Storytelling

Getting Started with Digital Storytelling

  1. Create an engaging and meaningful story.
  2. Create a storyboard that will plan the graphics, sounds, text, narration and music you will use. (Storyboard samples are included before, or use software like word, Inspiration, or Comic Life which is great for storyboarding!)
  3. Collect materials in folders(pictures, sound files, graphics).
  4. Learn how to use your software of choice for the story.
  5. Create your story using your software of choice.
  6. Edit, revise and share your story!

Software that supports Digital Storytelling

Examples of Student/Teacher Created Digital Stories:

The Silent Hero from Brenda Sherry on Vimeo.

Not a FairyTale from Brenda Sherry on Vimeo.

Digital Storytelling Experts….Learn from them!