Digital storytelling

Draft

Definition

Wide definitions

Digital storytelling refers to a variety of emergent new forms of digital narratives, e.g. web-based stories, interactive stories, hypertexts, narrative computer games (such as Neverwinter Nights), audio and video podcasts, etc.

“Digital Storytelling is a fantastic way to engage students, teachers and just about anyone else who has ever wanted to be the next Ken Burns or Steven Spielberg. There are many different definitions of "digital storytelling," but in general, all of them revolve around the idea of combining the longstanding art of telling stories with any of a variety of available multimedia tools, including graphics, audio, video animation, and Web publishing.” (Introduction to Storytelling), retrieved 15:44, 23 May 2007 (MEST)

Narrow definitions

“It is an emerging term, one that arises from a grassroots movement that uses new digital tools to help ordinary people to tell their own 'true stories' in a compelling and emotionally-engaging form. These stories usually takes the form of a relatively short story (less than 8 minutes) and can involve interactivity” Wikipedia, retrieved 15:44, 23 May 2007 (MEST).

“Daniel Meadows defines digital stories as "short, personal multimedia tales told from the heart." The beauty of this form of digital expression, he maintains is that these stories can be created by people everywhere, on any subject, and shared electronically all over the world. Meadows goes on to describe digital stories as "multimedia sonnets from the people" in which "photographs discover the talkies, and the stories told assemble in the ether as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, a gaggle of invisible histories which, when viewed together, tell the bigger story of our time, the story that defines who we are."” (Introduction to Storytelling), retrieved Daniel K. Schneider 15:44, 23 May 2007 (MEST)

“Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights. Tell your story now digitally. - Leslie Rule, Digital Storytelling Association” (Digital Storytelling), retrieved 15:44, 23 May 2007 (MEST).

Components and structure of digital stories

According to Paul and Febich (2006) Digital Story telling can be defined by five elements:

• media
• action
• relationship
• context
• communication

Software

Basically any technology to create multimedia formats, but maybe one could distinguish between two kinds "integrated" and "distributed".

Specialized software

• Microsoft Sway is an online presentation software that can integrate contents from various sources. It requires a microsoft account since contents are stored on microsoft servers.

Various authoring software

Almost any authoring environment can be used to create digital stories, e.g.

• computer gameing authoring software and engines
• interactive fiction authoring software and engines, e.g. Twine
• Tools to create web pages or stand-alone hypertexts (like Storyspace).
• Specialized web tools like eXe (e-learning authoring software))
• Cartoon animation software like Zooburst (digital storytelling tool designed to create their own on-line customized 3D pop-up books).
• Static cartoon software

Read The 5 Best Free Cartoon Making Tools for Teachers (Jan 2014)

• Storyboarding software

web site creation software

Either individual web pages or sets of pages (e.g. a blog or a portfolio) also can define a story.

Example web services:

• webtops
• learning e-portfolios (considered to be a story of learning).
• blogging software

Indexes

• Free Digital Storytelling Tools For Teachers and Students by Christopher Pappas, at eLearningIndustry.

References and links

(not complete, but should get you going a bit ...)

Resource sites

• Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling Website

• Digital Story Telling in Education

• Digital Storytelling

• Storycenter.org

• posts with label digital storytelling on cultural interpretation and creative education.

• Integrating Digital Storytelling in your Classroom.

Blog entries and reports

• Using Pageflakes for Digital Storytelling, retrieved 23:19, 22 May 2007 (MEST).

• Nora Paul and Christina Febich The Elements of Digital Story Telling , retrieved 16:42, 28 December 2006 (MET). (This site is worth a visit - Daniel K. Schneider).

• Tuttle, Harry Grover, Digital Storytelling or Digital Reports?, Blog Entry, HTML

• Introduction to digital storytelling, retrieved 15:44, 23 May 2007 (MEST).

• Digital storytelling (Wikipedia)

• Digital Storytelling: an Efficient and Engaging Learning Activity, by Tiziana Saponaro, http://elearningindustry.com, March 2014.