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Digital storytelling in the Learning environment empower students

Action research

Kwasida williams

Full Sail University

Education Media Design and Technology

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The PURPOSE

The purpose of my Action Research project is to show how digital storytelling in education can help students' communication skills, improve literacy and empower students.

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The Ancient Art of Storytelling transformed

Existed since the beginning of time
First stories were pictures on walls
Passed between generations
Technology advancements has helped storytelling transform into a digital form

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What is digital storytelling?

Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories.

computer images,
recorded audio
video clips and music.

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Seven elements of digital storytelling�

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1. Point of View

What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author?

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2. A Dramatic Question

A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be answered by the end of the story.

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3. Emotional Content

Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way and connects the story to the audience.

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4. The gift of your voice

A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context

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5. The power of the soundtrack

Music or other sounds that support and embellish the storyline.

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6. economy

Using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer.

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7. Pacing

The rhythm of the story and how slowly or quickly it progresses.

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Added requirements for �Educational Digital stories

The Overall Purpose of the Story
The Narrator's Point of View
A Dramatic Question or Questions
The Choice of Content
Clarity of Voice

Pacing of Narrative
Use of Meaningful Audio Soundtrack
Quality of the Images, Video & other Multimedia elements
Economy of the Story Detail
Good Grammar and Language Usage

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Digital stories for early learning

Digital Stories for early learning recognizes the 7 elements of digital storytelling.
Some digital stories may omit some elements to create simple stories/concepts.

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Educational goals and objectives

Induce new material
Help conduct research
Synthesize a great amount of content
Present ideas

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Teachers can…

Create a digital story for a lesson hook
Enhance lesson plans with digital stories
Allow students to create student-created stories

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Students can..

Learn to use the Internet to research
Develop communication skills
Increase their computer skills

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Educational goals & objectives

Cater to various learning styles
Appeal to the “ digital generation”
Showcase student’s creative talents
Publish student work
Promote student accomplishments

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Example Digital Stories

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What research says?

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Digital Storytelling and communication

“It has helped to instill values, improve writing skills, nurture empathy and understanding, make mental connections and improve critical thinking skills." (NEW)

Stories can capture people on an emotional level, creating a deeper, intimate bond. In addition, stories tend to be more memorable facts.

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Digital Storytelling and Literacy

“After a storytelling experience has been shared aloud, students with semantic weaknesses can engage semantic-mapping activities to improve the abilities to define, categories and associated works” (Chery-Cruz 2001, p. 1).

According to Gregory, Steelman and Caverly (2009) digital storytelling has been a great tool for engaging students in oral communication, critical thinking and written communication skills.

Dreon & Landis (2011) asserted that digital storytelling has been credited for helping struggling readers have a visual connection to text.

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Digital Storytelling and empowerment

Educators have harnessed the power of storytelling through digital storytelling to relay information and empower their students.

According to Thesen & Kara (2008) when students share stories with one another they feel proud because students take ownership for what they learn.

They become empowered telling the stories of their lives.

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Target audience

Atlanta Early Childhood Educators

African American
Women
2 under 35 years old
1 over 50 years old

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methodology

Demonstrated to early learning educators how to create digital stories for education.

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Little Bird tales. com

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Data Collection

Pre & post survey
Observation

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Summary of cycle 1

Demonstrated how to create digital stories

Discussed and brainstormed early learning digital stories

Looked for sample digital stories

Target audience created 2-3 minute digital stories

Curiosity and excitement!

The target audience explored creating digital stories based on early childhood education concepts.

I introduced and shared with the target audience the 7 elements of digital storytelling. I also shared sample digital stories used for early childhood education.

My target audience created 2-3 minute digital stories focused on basic toddler concepts/skills. It was great observing my target audience create their digital stories. Unlike my normal educator trainings, I gave the target audience a general overview and allowed them to explore and use their creativity. I normally have to walk participants through the features of particular educational software.

The target audience initially responded to the challenge with a combination of curiosity and excitement. During the half way mark, participants were really excited about creating short digital stories for early childhood education.

Participants brainstormed ideas through writing down ideas and having discussions. They also look for sample early childhood digital stories.

The target audience used a computer, a smart phone camera for recording audio, video and still images to create digital stories.

The target audience initially collaborated via discussion. After deciding on their digital stories they worked individually on their digital stories.

Participants produced short digital stories to share on a blog for other early childhood education teachers.

The target audience was very excited about the result of the digital stories. They applauded each other’s efforts.

As the target audience was working on the challenge, my primary role was as facilitator. I answered questions and guided participants when needed. I also ensured participants stayed on task.

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Summary of Cycle 2

Shorter stories

More confidant about creating digital stories

“Oozing with early learning digital storytelling ideas

The target audience explored creating digital stories based on early childhood education concepts. During cycle 2, my target audience created additional digital stories. During this cycle their digital stories were a bit shorter. After completing cycle 2, participants realized in efforts to create more digital stories they would need to create shorter projects. My target audience realized that given time constraints, they would need to create 30 sec to 1 minute digital stories. Participants were extremely enthused during cycle 2. They became eager about the likelihood that they would create short digital stories during naptime.

I was very pleased during the Cycle 2 implementation. Participants were more independent in creating their digital stories. They initiated a discussion on which early learning concepts that would be great to implement into a digital story. Participants definitely more comfortable and confident using digital stories.

After cycle 2, my target audience participants were “oozing” with early learning digital story ideas. During discussion participants shared their ideas on how digital stories could be effective in the early learning environment. One participant said, she was happy to have found a strategy that helps to engage learners without using regular television. Another participant said, “digital stories are another way to help her children learn their alphabet and numbers.” In addition, one participant shared that she could see the advantage of integrating digital stories in the early learning environment to encourage beginning reading. Overall, our discussions revealed that digital stories in the early learning environment can be an effective tool for engaging learners in the process of learning basic early learning concepts like literacy.

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DIGITAL STORYTELLING IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN EDUCATION

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Results

Helps children learn basic early learning concepts

Increase communication skills

Promote literacy

Teach via an interactive media other than television

Digital storytelling can help children not only learn basic early learning concepts but also empower them. When learning these concepts through digital stories children then increase their communication skills by repeating the information, which seems to not only engage and empower learners but also promote literacy and communication skills.

During my Action Research project my target audience revealed that digital storytelling in early learning seems to be a great way to engage and learn through technology. As indicated in my research, Educators have harnessed the power of storytelling through digital storytelling to relay information and empower their students. One participant said, she was happy to have found a strategy that helps to engage learners without using regular television.

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CONCLUSION

A great way to engage students, increase literacy and communication skills.

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IN THE FUTURE

Involve children in the process of creating digital stories
Digital Storytelling Blog for Early Learning Teachers to…share strategies, tips , advice and digital stories

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References

Chery-Cruz,T. (2001). Enhancing literacy through the techniques of storytelling. Retrieved August 17, 2011, from http://nt.gmnews.com/news/2008-02-06/Schools/006.html

Dreon, O., Kerper, R. M., & Landis, J. (2011). Digital storytelling: A tool for teaching and learning in the YouTube generation. Middle School Journal, 42(5), 4-10. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

New, J. (n.d.). How to use digital storytelling in your classroom. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-storytelling-classroom

Gregory, K., Steelman, J., & Caverly, D. C. (2009). Techtalk: Digital storytelling and developmental education. Journal of Developmental Education, 33(2), 42-43. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

The Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling. com. University of Houston. Retrieved April 28^th, 2012

Thesen, A., & Kara-Soteriou, J. (2011). Using digital storytelling to unlock student potential. New England Reading Association Journal, 46(2), 93-100. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

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Thank you!