The Art of Digital Story Telling Riviera Schools Technology Day

October 23, 2012

Dr. Melinda PragueProfessor Emeritus, Miami Dade College

The Role of Reflection in the Digital Story Process

Why is reflection important for learning?

John Dewey has stated, “We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.”

The Role of Reflection in the Digital Story Process

The process of reflection allows students to learn from their experiences: it is an assessment of where they have been and where they want to go next.Reflection is the “heart and soul” of a digital storytelling.

Digital storytelling is a highly motivating strategy that can make reflection concrete and visible. (Barrett).

Digital Stories and The Reflective Process

Stories are products of reflection, but we do not usually hold onto them long enough to make them objects of reflection in their own right....

The process…

Everyone has a story to tell. Digital Storytelling integrates spoken narrative with media such as music, still and moving images to create an evocative personal story. Technology now allows anyone to tell it in their own way.

The process…

Each story needs to develop a very personal point, a moral, an a-ha awareness or a specific understanding. Students must trust their own voice and employ a unique approach to tell their stories.

The process…

They may choose to discuss…Defining Moments of LifeWho We Are Influencing and Impacting Others Stories of Lessons Learned

The process…

But they must keep in mind these reflective questions:What have I collected as evidence of life, learning? (artifacts) What do these artifacts show about what I have learned? What direction do I want to take in the future?

The Elements…Students must include the seven essential elements of digital story telling:

Point of view – An underlying theme, lives on beyond the story itself

Dramatic question– A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be

answered by the end of the story.Emotional content – Add depth and meaning, connect with others through the addition

of emotionGift of your voice (first person narrative) – It is you and it makes it your story

The Elements…

Power of sound track to add emotion *– Another opportunity to connect emotionally

Economy ( 2-4 minutes)– Can you illustrate and tell your story efficiently?

Pacing – Having rhythm to sustain interest

*When choosing a music soundtrack for your presentation, consider copyright issues! See our link for copyright free resources.

The Steps..Part 1 Define, Collect, Decide1. Select a topic for your digital story.2. Create a folder on the desktop where you can store the materials you

find.3. Search for image resources for your story, including: pictures, drawings,

photographs, maps, charts, etc. -Save these resources in your folder.4. Try to locate audio resources such as music, speeches, interviews, and

sound effects. -Save these resources in your folder.5. Try to find informational content, which might come from web sites,

word processed documents, or PowerPoint slides. -Save these resources in your folder.

6. Begin thinking of the purpose of your story. Are you trying to inform, convince, provoke, question?

The Steps…

Part 2 Select, Import, Create1. Select the images you would like to use for your digital

story.2. Select the audio you would like to use for your digital story.3. Select the content and text you would like to use for your

digital story.4. Import images into Photo Story or imovie5. Import audio into Photo Story or imovie.6. Modify number of images and/or image order, if necessary.

The Steps

Part 3 Decide, Write, Record, Finalize1.Decide on the purpose and point of view of your

digital story.2. Write a script that will be used as narration in your

digital story AND provides the purpose and point of view you have chosen.

3. Use a computer microphone and record the narration of your script.

4. Import the narration.5. Finalize your digital story by saving .

The Steps…

Part 4 Demonstrate, Evaluate, Replicate1. Show your digital story to your classmates.2. Gather feedback about how the story could

be improved, and expanded.3. Teach your classmates how to create their

own digital stories.4. Congratulate yourself for a job well done!

Complete Guide to Digital Story Telling

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