DIGITAL STORYTELLINGUSING MICROSOFT PHOTO

STORY

By: Shaydeé Romero and Tom Price

WHAT IS DIGITAL STORYTELLING?

It is a new twist to storytelling, using the ways of

expression of the digital era. With the use of

computer generated text and multimedia context you

and your students can create a digital story blending

text, music, images, sounds and audio narration. It

must be short (8-10 minutes) in nature due to

storage capacities limitations.

IN WHAT CONTEXT SHOULD WE USE DIGITAL STORYTELLING?

Digital storytelling is not only for the language arts

classroom. It can be used in all subjects. However

applying digital storytelling depends on the

curriculum goals, the grade level, the content, the

timing, the resources available, the administrative

support, etc. So you should consider this before

using digital storytelling.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Storytelling helps students organize their thoughts,

see patterns, and find solutions. Telling stories is

about reasons for actions, not just actions

themselves. Making it digital adds other dimensions

which engage visual and auditory learners. It is an

active learning process which makes personal

connections, engages cultural assets, and includes

diverse students.

NC TEACHING STANDARDS

Make content engaging, relevant and meaningful

to student’s lives.

Teach existing core content that is revised to

include skills like critical thinking, problem solving,

and information and communications technology

(ITC) literacy.

Encourage students to use 21st century skills so

they discover how to learn, innovate, collaborate,

and communicate their ideas.

MARZANO’S ESSENTIAL NINE CONNECTION

1.Identifying similarities and differences

2.Summarizing and note taking

3.Reinforcing effort and providing recognition

4.Homework and practice

5.Nonlinguistic representations

6.Cooperative learning

7.Setting objectives and providing feedback

8.Generating and testing hypotheses

9.Cues, questions, and advance organizers

EXAMPLE 1FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Use Photo Story to create a travel advertisement for

a Spanish speaking country studied in class. Include

the geographic location, the historic or touristic

places to visit, the capital city, etc. Use your

imagination and have fun!

( M C C U L L E N, M C K E N Z I E , & G R A Y )( N C S T A N D A R D C O U R S E O F S T U D Y, 2 0 0 4 )

EXAMPLE 2SCIENCE

Create a photo story showing the transition from a

caterpillar to butterfly. Explain in detail each step of

the metamorphosis. Use your imagination to find or

create your own pictures of the transformation.

EXAMPLE 3SOCIAL STUDIES

Using family photos and personal history, create a

digital story about the cultural origins of your family.

Interview family members for background

information.

EXAMPLE 4ENGLISH

Create a digital book report. Compile photos and

images relative to the book and record narration that

will summarize the novel and share opinions of the

work.

CONCLUSION

Do students enjoy using electronics?

Is 3-5 minutes the average attention span?

Do people like to talk about themselves?

Is a picture worth 1000 words?

Have you thought of a way you want to use Photo Story in

your classroom?

We are 10-1/2 years into the 21st century, what are you

waiting for?

WORKS CITED

NC Standard Course of Study. (2004). Retrieved 03 18, 2011, from World Languages High School Level I:

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/worldlanguages/scos/2004/31level1

Banaszewski, T. (2002, January). Digital Storytelling Finds it's Place in the Classroom. Retrieved 2011, from

Multimedia & Internet @Schools: http://www.onlineinc.com/MMSchools/jan02/banaszewski.htm

Benmayor, R. (2008). Digital Storytelling as a Signature Pedagogy for the New Humanities.

Frazel, M. (2010). Digital Storytelling Guide for Educators. Washington, DC: International Society for

Technology in Education.

Hart, L. (2010, 02 14). Using Photostory 3 in the English Classroom. Retrieved 2011, from Bright Hub:

http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/34929.aspx

Marzano, R., & Varlas, L. (2002). Getting Acquainted with the Essential 9. Retrieved 2011, from The

MiddleWeb Listserv: http://www.middleweb.com/MWLresources/marzchat1.html

McCullen, C., McKenzie, J., & Gray, T. (n.d.). Multimedia Mania Checklist for Students. Retrieved 03 18,

2011, from Midlink Magazine: http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/mm2002_rubric.kids.pdf

McLellan, H. (2006). Digital Storytelling in Higher Education. Journal of Computing in Higher Education.

RESOURCES

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphot

ography/photostory/default.mspx

http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/mathematics.html

http://www.digitales.us/

http://storycenter.org/

http://techlearning.com/article/8030

http://techlearning.com/article/3536

http://thewritingsite.org/resources/curriculum/