Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is the combination of oral storytelling and multimedia tools such as images, sound, music and voice to deliver a story. This concept transforms oral presentations or written information into e-learning experiences which require students to make use of technology tools in order to produce a multimedia rich story. Waterhouse (2003) suggests that e-learning involves improving teaching and learning using instructional strategies enhanced by technology, especially computer technology (p. 3). At a very basic level e-learning is using information communication technologies to engage, enhance and extend learning in flexible and innovative ways, now and in the future. Prensky (2005) believes that pedagogical practices of the 21st century should be technology rich in order to cater for the 'digital native' students of today and prepare them for the technology of tomorrow. The Digital Storytelling Website states that "Digital kids need learning to be relevant, meaningful, and applicable now"which supports Kearsley and Shneiderman's (1999) engagement theory suggesting that engaging tasks are those which provide meaning and relevance to real-life. They also suggest along with Felder and Solomon that engagement can be achieved through ensuring all students learning styles are catered for and interests are included. Digital Storytelling allows for students to show off their artistic, storytelling, techie and writing abilities in creative manners. This sort of technology can also be manipulated into tasks in order to form roles for students which allow for their strengths to shine and practice in roles they may struggle with. For Learning Managers these types of experiences allow for clear assessment in areas students may exceed at or struggle with and poses the opportunity to improve these. Learning Managers are also able to incorporate students interests within such tasks, for instance allowing students to make their own choice of what topic they will base their presentation around. Student interests, however, are in a sense already included within the use of Digital Storytelling as students are able to make their own choice around what images, music and sounds they wish to use. Digital Storytelling could be an excellent tool for Learning Managers to adopt as a form of assessment, as students are able to show what they have learnt in a meaningful and creative way.

REFERENCES

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved from CQUniversity,
FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Waterhouse, S. (2003). The power of elearning the past, the present, and the future. Retrieved June 15, 2006,
from http://ritim.cba.uri.edu/wp2003/pdf_format/Wiley-Encycl-Internet-Diffusion-v12.pdf

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon. MCB University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5, October 2001.

Felder, R., Solomon, A. Learning Styles And Strategies. Retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm