Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is very powerful. It is almost like stories being told through a movie. It usually includes pictures, videos, sounds, music, animations, text, and a narrative voice. Digital stories are typically two to five minutes long. Digital storytelling benefits the classroom because it keeps students engaged more than just looking at a book or textbook and reading words off of a page. It also puts meaning behind the story while not just including media. It allows students to have access to technology while also giving them a choice of a topic. Students may also choose which pictures, videos, sounds, music, animations and texts that they would like to use. Students seem to be more engaged when they have a choice in what they are learning about. It also benefits students by allowing sharing and collaboration with one another. Students can work together while also sharing with others what they have learned. Digital storytelling is also an example of project-based learning. It is considered project-based learning because it incorporates technology and research into the project. Digital storytelling is beneficial to teachers because it is a great differentiation tool and can meet the needs of all students. For ELL learners, it provides pictures and sounds instead of just words. For ADHD students, it allows them to stay busy with technology. Teachers can use digital storytelling to get students interested in a topic. This can also help students to link prior knowledge with new knowledge. Teachers can use the following apps as well to incorporate digital storytelling in the classroom: MovieMaker, iMovie, Tellegami, Flipgrid, Storybird, Little Bird Tales, Explain Everything, Puppet Pals, Sock Puppets, My Story, and Toontastic. I would definitely use digital storytelling in my classroom when introducing a new topic or a new person (autobiographies and biographies) to keep students engaged and interested in learning.