Digital Storytelling- Why and How We Use It

Digital storytelling is an exciting, fairly new way of telling stories through the use of computer-based tools. As the name implies, digital storytelling involves the use of images, text, recorded audio narration, music, and video footage. Most digital stories focus on a particular topic and have the storyteller’s point of view. Students and teachers can create veritable time machines by searching for images, audio, and video clips that are part of history. Digital storytelling allows students to deeply explore historical themes and research events not previously known to them. It is a thrilling way to explore and educate. Every student should have access to digital storytelling, by both viewing and creating.

Voice thread, slide share, and slide cast are all excellent tools for use in the classroom. Teachers can (and should) give their students the opportunity to create voice threads/slidecasts/slide shares as a means to increase what and how they learn. Who wouldn’t prefer creating a voice thread to writing an essay? They can be used in every subject. History, math, science, English, art, and many other curricular areas could be enriched by the students’ use of digital media. One of the neat things about voice threads is that multiple people can comment via recording with a microphone, posting with a computer keyboard, by video, and by using a phone. Slideshare is site where presentations can be posted and shared with others. It is a simpler way of using digital media and is basically a power point presentation.Slideshare can be linked to at the site or can be embedded into a web page. Slide presentations can also be synchronized to an MP3 audio file, creating a slidecast- an even better way to share information!

I found that voice threading and slideshare/cast can be used very easily in my unit plan. The sun is a broad enough topic to lend itself to much investigation. I was able to create a voice thread based on two simple ideas related to the sun. It was so much fun to create! I envision doing lots of voice threads and slideshare presentations as a future teacher. They are a simple, convenient way to get information across to the students. I believe that teachers can use digital stories in lieu of teaching a lesson in the traditional way. Additionally, teachers who know they will be absent from their classrooms can leave lessons and information via digital media.

I also hope to teach my students to use digital media for themselves. I want a classroom full of students who are not afraid to dive in to technology and who are interested in what they are learning. Voice threading and slideshare/cast allows students to generate and construct their own knowledge based on research and preparation they did on their own. What a great way to learn!