Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is a great way to encourage imaginative writing in the classroom. Storytelling is a skill that is slowly declining. In the past, it was a much loved pastime to share the stories from long ago. Introducing a digital element into the art of storytelling can help us to create excitement around the topic making it more appealing to our students.

Digital storytelling allows us to blend various media and technologies together to convey stories and ideas. It gives our students the opportunity to explore the power of their imagination, with digital storytelling the possibilities are endless.

Even though digital storytelling seems more enticing to our students, it still mirrors the conventional writing process. It can be used within all time frames, whether it is a multi-day project or a quick storyboard used as part of a lesson (It is also a great means of introducing Project Based Learning).

Digital Story Planning Steps:

Brainstorm ideas (Coggle is a helpful mind mapping tool perfect for this step)
Plan the story. Encourage students to structure using a start point, a middle and an end etc.
Construct the story
Incorporate video, pictures, illustrations
Look back over the story and make amendments
Publish (to the class/teacher/blog)
Reflect on the process and give feedback as a group