Digital+Storytelling

We have found that while incredibly useful, informational text is not always included in the classroom like it should be. Students benefit from informational text by reading to learn. Younger students, especially, are innately curious and are motivated by reading materials that let them explore their world. Teachers can incorporate informational text in a number of ways throughout the day in their classrooms. Informational texts can be implemented in read-alouds, independent readings, writing, research skills, and can also be used to improve discussion and response activities. Overall, the majority of studies find that there is, in fact, a gross deficit in the amount of informational texts used in the present-day classroom.

One specific way to include informational text in the classroom in an engaging way is through the use of digital storytelling. Digital storytelling is simply the use of technology, computers, Internet and cameras, to tell a story. Students write their own narratives on any topic or subject and create a movie using their script, pictures, music and videos. Digital storytelling seems to be an interesting and intriguing task that students enjoy partaking in. Moreover, there are a number of benefits that children will gain from being a part of a digital storytelling endeavor. Digital storytelling creates a classroom environment where students partake in teamwork. Teamwork encourages students to be respectful to their peers while also making them more comfortable in the classroom. Also, while engaging in teamwork, students learn from one another. They are more relaxed and more engaged, which translates into them learning more and in a way that they can retain the information. This retention of knowledge from the groupwork, in turn, strengthens comprehension, vocabulary, and other classroom skills. More information about digital storytelling can be found in the links and resources located towards the later part of this webpage.

This PowerPoint includes information on Digital Storytelling and an example video. Also included is an example letter to a principal explaining the uses of digital storytelling as well as a great lesson idea.

We have included a PowerPoint in this portion of the Wiki for you to use as a resource. The PowerPoint includes information on Digital Storytelling and provides a video as an example to use in the early childhood education classroom. There is a link to a "pretend" letter to a principal that could be used to persuade an administrator to allow the use of Digital Storytelling in the classroom .



In addition to our PowerPoint, please view our other useful resources below.

 **Articles & Books**  -Banaszewski, T. (2002). Digital storytelling finds its place in the classroom. //Multimedia Schools.// Retrieved from http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan02/banaszewski.htm.

 -Sylvester, R., & Greenidge, W. (2009). Digital Storytelling: Extending the Potential for Struggling Writers. //Reading Teacher//, 63(4), 284-295. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//.

 **Websites** -University of Houston: Introduction to digital storytelling. (http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/)

-Microsoft Education: Software, videos, how-to guides and templates for digital storytelling. (http://www.microsoft.com/education/teachers/guides/digital_storytelling.aspx)

 -Digital Storytelling How-To: Research, assessments and how-tos on using Windows Movie Maker and iMovie in the classroom. (http://www.slideshare.net/cliotech/digital-storytelling-windows-and-apple)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">-DigiTales: Information on digital storytelling as well as scoring guides for different forms of digital storytelling. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">(http://www.digitales.us/)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> **Videos** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> -What is Digital Storytelling: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKZiXR5qUlQ

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> -Discovering Digital Stories: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yU8zE5LBBY

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> **Lesson Plans** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> -Scholastic on celebrating heritage and background: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">http://www.scholastic.com/dreamincolor/digitalstorytelling/

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> -Cinderella Lesson Plan: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/view_lesson_plans?id=3258