Slater, Lashairian Sha

DB W3-Digital Storytelling
MEDT 7470

Digital Storytelling
What is Digital Storytelling?
Digital Storytelling is an explanation of an account of real or fictional people or
events told through a digital format with the intended purpose to entertain, educate, or
inform. Digital Storytelling combines the format of traditional oral storytelling with mixed
media formats using video, audio recordings, and images to present the tale that is
being relayed. Simply put it is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell a story.
What is the Value of Digital Storytelling?
The value of Digital Storytelling can arguably be compared to the same values
added by the introduction of the Internet. Digital Storytelling can operate in a frequency
that can reach masses globally without being published in book or other transcript
format. This is the same use that can be produced from a radio broadcast. Added value
has been shown to improve collaboration in teaching models and enhancing higher
order level thinking. Value is added with participants as social-emotion development is
improved and if working individually it can reduce the fear that some presenters have
with public speaking. Other values will be discussed when comparing the pro and cons
of new technologies vs. old technologies.
Technologies of Digital Learning Old vs. New
As with any methods there are pro and cons to new and old ways to complete
any task. The same rings true with the art of storytelling. Even though at first glance it
can be easily assumed that anything done in the digital era is automatically better, there
were several benefits from the traditional method of storytelling. The older process of
telling stories before married with computers allowed for a more personable interaction,
a quicker time to relay the story, as it could be done on the spot or as it came to a
presenters head, and increased performance skills as the older method relied on voice,
gestures, diction, and facial expressions to relay attitudes in a story.
In contrast with the newer technology of digital storytelling what cannot be
accomplished in older methods like on the spot production, is made up by the added
values of more credibility to the stories being told. This occurs, as there is no longer a
need to recall details when the listener would like to become the presenter in order to
share a story with others. Other benefits to new technology are that while it does not
enhance performance skills it can be used to remove a fear of public speaking that
many people suffer from. Additionally it improves the interactivity of the story giving the
listener or viewer control of how the story is relayed to them. The table below displays
some of the pro/cons of both methods.

Old Technology

New Technology

More Personable Interaction

Less Personable no face-to-face

Less Credible as story retold/shared

More Credible as story recorded

Communicate More quickly no

production time needed

Production time, preparation, and planning

needed for final output

Can Increase Performance Skills

Can remove fear of performing publicly.

Less Interactivity with story

Improves interactivity, viewers can control

(pause, skip, etc.)

Accessible by a greater mass (any

who can speak)

Less accessible as digital tools needed as primary

resource

Conclusively digital storytelling is just another way to tell a story. The practice of
digital story telling is adapted from the traditions of storytelling that were adopted
historically. Both methods share elements that can serve as a benefit for choosing that
technique. Used practically both are still widely used an offer an unprecedented value to
society and social development.

Online Resources for Digital Storytelling

http://web2012.discoveryeducation.com/blog/index.cfm/2011/4/27/Digital-Storytelling20-Connect-create-and-collaborate
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/60261-the-educational-benefits-of-storytelling
Google Images: digital storytelling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_storytelling

http://www.inms.umn.edu/elements/

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7021.pdf