A Quick Guide To: Digital Storytelling

By
Mike King
All Rights Reserved ©
Table of Contents
Topic Section
Introduction

PART ONE: DIGITAL STORYTELLING

Digital Storytelling Defined ................................................................................................................ 1.0
What Is A Digital Story? ..................................................................................................................... 1.1
Daniel Meadows ................................................................................................................................ 1.2
University of Huston Resource Link ................................................................................................... 1.3
Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling ............................................................................................... 1.4
Three Types of Digital Stories ............................................................................................................ 1.5
Personal Narratives............................................................................................................................ 1.6
Digital Stories that Examine Historical Events ................................................................................... 1.7
Stories that Inform or Instruct ........................................................................................................... 1.8
Digital Storytelling as an Effective Learning Tool for Students .......................................................... 1.9
Visual Literacy .................................................................................................................................... 1.10

PART TWO: DIGITAL TOOLS FOR DIGITAL STORIES

Digital Tools for Digital Stories........................................................................................................... 2.0
Audio Recording Resources ............................................................................................................... 2.1
Audio Microphone Resources............................................................................................................ 2.2
Audio Sound Resources ..................................................................................................................... 2.3
Audio Royalty Free Music .................................................................................................................. 2.4
Still Image Resources ......................................................................................................................... 2.5
Image Editors ..................................................................................................................................... 2.6

PART THREE: AVATARS

Avatars ............................................................................................................................................... 3.0
Crazy Talk Avatars .............................................................................................................................. 3.1
Cartoon Animation ............................................................................................................................ 3.2
Web Cam Avatars .............................................................................................................................. 3.4

PART FOUR: EDITING, POSTING, CONVERTING & EMBEDDING

Editing, Posting, Converting & Embedding ........................................................................................ 4.0
Editors Photo Story 3 ......................................................................................................................... 4.1
Editors MovieMaker .......................................................................................................................... 4.2
Posting and Storage Resources.......................................................................................................... 4.3
Embedding Digital Stories ................................................................................................................. 4.4
Using Google Earth KMZ Digital Stories Locators .............................................................................. 4.5
Plug-In's.............................................................................................................................................. 4.6

PART FIVE: AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT AND STORYBOARDS

Creating A Storyboard ....................................................................................................................... 5.0
Digital Story Board ............................................................................................................................. 5.1
Authentic Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 5.3
Rubrics ............................................................................................................................................... 5.4
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(Introduction) About This Presentation

This presentation is built upon the following premise: Historically, we have valued creative writing or art classes
because they help to identify and train future writers and artists, but also because the creative process is valuable
on its own; every child deserves the chance to express him- or herself through words, sounds, and images, even if
most will never write, perform, or draw professionally. Having these experiences, we believe, changes the way
youth think about themselves and alters the way they look at work created by others.

 Video Link: Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity

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(Part 1.0) Digital Storytelling Defined
Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories and usually contain some mixture
of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. Topics range from personal
tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one's own community to the search for life in
other corners of the universe, and literally, everything in between.

 Video Link: Digital Storytelling Overview

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(Part 1.2) What Is A Digital Story?
Digital Storytelling, revolves around the idea of combining the art of telling stories with a variety of digital
multimedia, such as images, audio, and video.
 digital stories bring together some mixture of digital graphics, text, recorded audio narration, video and music
to present information on a specific topic.
 digital stories revolve around a chosen theme and often contain a particular viewpoint.
 The stories are typically just a few minutes long and have a variety of uses, including
 the telling of personal tales, the recounting of historical events, or as a means to inform or
 instruct on a particular topic.
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(Part 1.3) Daniel Meadows
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 describes 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."

 Video Link: Daniel Meadows "Scissors"

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(Part 1.4) University of Huston Resource Link

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(Part 1.5) Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling
Center for Digital Storytelling (Prezi Presentation)
1. Point of View – what is the perspective of the author?
2. A Dramatic Question – a question that will be answered by the end of the story.
3. Emotional Content – serious issues that speak to us in a personal and powerful way.
4. The Gift of your Voice – a way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context.
5. The Power of the Soundtrack – music or other sounds that support the storyline.
6. Economy – simply put, using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer with too
much information.
7. Pacing – related to Economy, but specifically deals with how slowly or quickly the story progresses

What is Prezi?
Prezi is an one screen application which makes it possible to design a multiple topic presentation online.
Multiple topic presentation means that designers do not need to worry about creating individual slides.
The software allows users to create non linear presentations by zooming in and out of a schematic map
containing information. The application is actually fairly similar to a PowerPoint presentation except for
its one screen mapping capabilities allows the user imbed content on a presentation map.

 Prezi Presentation Link: Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling

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(Part 1.6) Three Types of Digital Stories

 Personal Narratives
 Examine Historical Events
 Stories that Inform or Instruct

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(Part 1.7) Personal Narratives

Personal narratives are designed to share a life's story with others through experiences
that happen around an individual. A good personal narrative creates a dramatic effect,
makes us laugh, gives us pleasurable fright, and/or gets us on the edge of our seats. The
writer's job is to put the reader in the midst of the action letting him or her live through an
experience. An effective personal narrative has done its job if the viewer can say, "Yes,
that captures what it feels like, to have experienced.

 Video Link: Personal Narrative Example

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(Part 1.8) Digital Stories that Examine Historical Events

Digital Stories that Examine Historical Events are records of events which
chronicle the life or development of people or institutions and often include
an explanation or commentary on them: a history of the Vikings; a formal
written account of related natural phenomena: history of volcanoes; a log of
a patient’s medical background; or a posted pattern of behavior: inmates
with histories of substance abuse.

 Video Link: Historical Event Example

Then there is the branch of knowledge that records and analyzes past events: “History has a long range
perspective” (Elizabeth Gurley Flynn). This might include events relating to something in particular such as the
history of their rivalry is full of intrigue. Perhaps an aggregate of bygone eras or human affairs could be the
subject: basic tools used throughout history. A house with a history could be the topic of something with an
interesting past. Also included is something departed: Their troubles are history now.

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(Part 1.9) Stories that Inform or Instruct
Stories that inform or instruct are meant to impart information or make
the viewer aware of something such as a change in plans or reinforce
rules or policies. They also acquaint us with knowledge of any given
subject. Information and instruction grants form or character to the
story giving it quality or essence (Vanity Fair).

 Video Link: Stories that Inform or Instruct Example

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(Part 1.10) Digital Storytelling as an Effective Learning Tool for Students
Digital Storytelling by students provides a strong foundation in many different types of literacy, such as
information literacy, visual literacy, technology literacy, and media literacy. Summarizing the work of several
researchers in this field, Brown, Bryan and Brown (2005) have labeled these multiple skills that are aligned with
technology as “Twenty-first Century Literacy,” which they describe as the combination of:

• Digital Literacy – the ability to communicate with an ever-expanding community to discuss issues, gather
information, and seek help;
• Global Literacy - the capacity to read, interpret, respond, and contextualize messages from a global
perspective
• Technology Literacy - the ability to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity,
and performance;
• Visual Literacy - the ability to understand, produce and communicate through visual images;
• Information Literacy - the ability to find, evaluate and synthesize information. In the area of technology
literacy, students who create digital stories improve their skills by using software that combines a variety of
multimedia tools including working with text, still images, audio, video and oftentimes, Web publishing. In the
area of technological literacy, Digital Storytelling can provide a meaningful reason for students to learn to
digitize media content by using scanners, digital still cameras, and video cameras. In addition, as students
create the narration and soundtrack for a story, they gain skills in using microphones, digitizing audio and
working with music and sound effects.

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(Part 1.11) Visual Literacy
Riesland (2005) notes that even as the definition of the term “Visual Literacy” is being hotly debated by
researchers and educators, there is no dispute that computer technology is at the heart of the debate. She
challenges the educational community to reconsider what it means to be literate in the age of technology and
argues that teachers must equip their students with skills that will enable them to understand and communicate
through visual modes, and “thrive in increasingly media-varied environments.” Riesland goes on to call for a new
definition of visual literacy education, one that will allow students to successfully navigate and communicate
through new forms of multimedia, while taking on the role of information producer rather than just being
information consumers. In summary, when students are able to participate in the multiple steps of designing,
creating and presenting their own digital stories, they increase a full complement of literacy skills, including:

• Research Skills: Documenting the story, finding and analyzing pertinent information;
• Writing Skills: Formulating a point of view and developing a script;
• Organization Skills: Managing the scope of the project, the materials used and the time it takes to complete
the task;
• Technology Skills: learning to use a variety of tools, such as digital cameras, scanners, microphones and
multimedia authoring software;
• Presentation Skills: Deciding how to best present the story to an audience;
• Interview Skills: Finding sources to interview and determining questions to ask;
• Interpersonal Skills: Working within a group and determining individual roles for group members;
• Problem-Solving Skills: Learning to make decisions and overcome obstacles at all stages of the project, from
inception to completion; and
• Assessment Skills: Gaining expertise critiquing their own and others’ work.

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PART 2.0 Digital Tools for Digital Stories

Part two is designed as an inquiry-oriented format which will provide the reader with information on the types
digital tools that will enable you to create digital stories. As the creator of this information I hope that the results
of this project will inspire many educators to create digital learning opportunities for classrooms across the globe.
Whether you're a teacher or student new to the topic of Digital Storytelling or an experienced educator looking
for materials, I hope that you will find something here to meet your needs.

“f it were possible to define generally the mission of education, it could be said that its fundamental
purpose is to ensure that all students benefit from learning in ways that allow them to participate fully in
public, community, [Creative] and economic life.”— New London Group (2000, p. 9)

 Audio Recording Resources

 Still Image Resources  Production Resources
 Avatars Resources  Posting and Storage Resources
 Moving Picture Resources  Embedding Digital Stories
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(Part 2.1) Audio Recording Resources

Audacity
Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux,
and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to, Record live audio, convert tapes and
records into digital recordings or CDs, Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files, cut, copy,
splice, and mix sounds together and Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

 Audacity Resource Link

 Audacity Resource Link : Tech "N" TuIt "Audacity"
 Audacity Resource Link : Audacity Training Site
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(Part 2.2) Audio Microphone Resources

The Zoom H2 is a portable microphone that can be used in a variety of different scenarios.
The H2 can be used for rehearsal to podcasting to recording live music. The portable
recording system has 4 encapsulated microphones for auto recording allows file splitting and
merging, making live track marks to files, normalization, and converting to MP3 capabilities.

 Resource Link : Zoom H2

The Snowball is a stationary microphone, with a design often preferred for recording
because of its smooth frequency response and ability to pick up transient sounds. The
Snowball has several features that increase its versatility including tripod, which holds the
microphone at a perfect desktop speaking height.

 Resource Link: SnowPack

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(Part 2.3) Audio Sound Resources

 American Rhetoric (famous speeches)“The site makes material available in an effort to advance
understanding of political, social, and religious issues as they relate to the study and practice of rhetoric
and public address deemed relevant to the public interest and the promotion of civic discourse.”
 Freeplay Music´s compositions and recordings may be used (broadcast, synchronized and/or copied)
without a fee.
 Welcome to FindSounds.com, a free site where you can search the Web for sound effects and musical
instrument samples.
 Nature Songs All content, including text, sounds and graphics are copyrighted to Naturesongs.com and
Doug Von Gausig, 1997-2004. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. Educational and non-commercial
license is usually granted without charge, but must be in writing from Naturesongs.
 PodSafe Audio This site aims to provide a location where musicians can upload music under theCreative
Commons License for use in Podcasts, Mashups, Shoutcasts, Webcasts and every other kind of ‘casting’
that exists on the ‘net…
 MIDIMART.NET There is no limit to midi downloads on this site, you can download 1 file or all of them.
The site also features many software downloads, such as Audacity, Jazz (MIDI) Sequencer, Quartz
AudioMaster Pro and 4.6 RockN Wav Editor 1.8.
 Partners In Rhyme Your Audio Resource for Multimedia Projects royalty free music, sound effects, midi
files, audio software and sound advice.
 Soundzabound Royalty Free Music supersedes Fair Use in that we fully license the music with unlimited
rights for education and sign off that you are protected.
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(Part 2.4) Audio Royalty Free Music

The Fair Use Act is in section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. This act
stipulates that a piece of music or other copyright protected work can be
used and even reproduced without limits for the purpose of criticism,
comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research without the
party using the music work for these purposes suffering legal consequences,
and even if the work does not fall within the category of public domain music. The following features distinguish
the Fair Use Act in relationship to a particular work of music or other creative
work:

1. The person using the work of music must be for non-profit or educational
purposes;
2. The copyrighted work must be suitable for educational use, criticism,
research or other non-revenue-generating uses;
3. The work must not be used in its entirety or presented in its entirety
without adding any commentary or supplemental educational material;

The use of the music work must not alter the value or accessibility of the work to
others purchasing or paying royalty fees for commercial use of the work.

 Resource Link: Royalty Free Music.com

 Resource Link: Sonicfire Pro5

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(Part 2.5) Still Image Resources

Creative Commons Images
The Fair Use Act is in section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. This act stipulates that a piece of music or other
copyright protected work can be used and even reproduced without limits for the purpose of criticism, comment,
news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research without the party using the music work for these purposes
suffering legal consequences, and even if the work does not fall within the category of public domain music. The
following features distinguish the Fair Use Act in relationship to a particular work of music or other creative work:
 The person using the work of music must be for non-profit or educational purposes;
 The copyrighted work must be suitable for educational use, criticism, research or other non-revenue-
generating uses;
 The work must not be used in its entirety or presented in its entirety without adding any commentary or
supplemental educational material;
 The use of the music work must not alter the value or accessibility of the work to others purchasing or paying
royalty fees for commercial use of the work.
 If a work of music is unpublished, the components of the Fair Use Act still apply.

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(Part 2.6) Image Editors

Editing photos before placing into a digital story, need not require expensive software such as
Photoshop or other desktop applications. A number of free photo editing tools have begun to
appear online; that allow personal photos to be imported from ones computer. One example is
Photoflexer; another is Picnik which functions are somewhat limited, however, no registration
is required to edit photos. Photo printing and sharing can be optimized by enhancing photo
creativity using a powerful tool called Pixenate.

Another clever tool that can be used to capture essence, mood, etc., is PicLits. It matches pictures with words with
a freestyle option allowing users to create their own series of words that can be attached ( website images only;
no uploading). Finally, the Tiltshiftmaker lends creativity to a photo by establishing focus or prominence to any
given area.

Editing photos before placing into a digital story, need not require expensive software such as Photoshop or
other desktop applications. A number of free photo editing tools have begun to appear online; that allow
personal photos to be imported and exported from ones computer.

 Photoflexer - Sometimes you want to edit a photo before putting it into another tool such as a website. If you don't have
expensive software such as Photoshop then Web 2.0 may just be the solution you need. A number of free tools have
started to appear which allow you to edit photos online much the way you used to have to do with a desktop app. You
can import photos from your hard drive or from other sources such as Picassa or Flickr.
 Pixenate is the photo editor of choice for photo printing and photo sharing businesses. Click here to find out how
Pixenate can enhance your photo creative developing skills. Pixenate™ offers powerful photo-editing tools that foster
creativity.
 Picnik - This is another photo editor. The free functions have some limitations but it works very well and performs all the
basic functions you would need. The premium version is as powerful as many desktop editors. You do not need to
register to edit your photos.
 PicLits - This is a clever little tool that matches pictures with words in order to capture the essence, mood etc. of the
scene. You cannot upload your own photo but there is a freestyle option which allows the user to create their own series
of words to attach to the picture. This is an example picture from the website.
 Tiltshiftmaker - This tool allows you to create an area of your picture to stand out. Very simple to use the best way to
explain is to look at an example.
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(Part 3.0) Avatars
Avatars can be used by classroom teachers
when designing digital stories or delivering
content. Avatars can represent a tour guide
explaining travels along the Silk Road, or
represent real life characters like Mark Twain giving a lecture on his home or Einstein introducing the solar
system. Most avatars are known as “bots” and are powered by Natural Language Processing. Some avatars like
Crazy Talk allows users to record natural voiceovers along with secondary sound recording like music. When
incorporating avatars into a digital they can be used to define terms, give directions to an activities or reinforced
content.

 Resource Link : Tech "N" TuIt "Avatars

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(Part 3.1) Crazy Talk Avatars

Avatars can be used by classroom teachers when designing digital stories or

delivering content. Avatars can represent a tour guide explaining travels along the
Silk Road, or represent real life characters like Mark Twain giving a lecture on his
home or Einstein introducing the solar system. Most avatars are known as “bots”
and are powered by Natural Language Processing. Some avatars like Crazy Talk
allows users to record natural voiceovers along with secondary sound recording
like music. When incorporating avatars into a digital they can be used to define
terms, give directions to an activities or reinforced content.

With Crazy Talk teachers can make famous historical

people come to life as funny talking and animated
characters. Students can demonstrate their many talents
in design and digital storytelling through unique and creative works made with their own
narrations and voiceovers. Students can also create projects through teamwork by
sharing and collaborating their creative ideas with others and then producing the
projects together. As a creative project develops, using project based learning; some
students could be assigned writing a script, another group developing sound tracks,
while one group puts together the voiceover and as a the entire group develops the
charter in the storyboard.
 Video Resource Link: Einstein
 Resource Link: Crazy Talk
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(Part 3.2) Cartoon Animation

GoAnimate is a web-based tool that will allow students to

experience the creation of an animated flash production using
cartoon characters. The free open source software application
provides easy to use templates such as cartoon characters, the ability to mix audio tracks, develop
background, themes, to produce and post creative animated projects.
 Video Resource Link: Monster Mash
 Resource Link: Go! Animate
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(Part 3.3) Web Cam Avatars

To express unique characterization to project-based activity

teachers can have students use Avatar characters to write and
read the content of the lesson or script. The script is a specially
prepared narration that allows the viewers to hear and see a
presentation in a creative format. Through 3D Avatar
characterization students can animate facial expressions and
head movements while narrating a script.

Due to the Avatar imaging the three PC Logitech web-cams

listed below are the only type of cameras that will support
Video Effects Avatars and can be downloaded at no charge: (See
Logitech Software Applications) MovieMaker or iMovie is a
video editing software application that can be used to incorporate video into an Avatar production. Using video
editing software enables students to create an Avatar presentation by adding edible video using transitions,
sound effects, and special features.

Get special effects that put more fun into digital lesson design. Be sure to check the Compatible Webcams to see
which effects work best with your equipment.

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(Part 4.0) Editing, Posting, Converting & Embedding

Streaming media adds engaging motion and sound to the digital experience, increasing interactivity, and
retention. Streaming allows timely, dynamic content to be seen by a larger, even global audience, helping to
disseminate information, to address or reinforce concepts, and to bring students closer to far-reaching
populations.

 Editors: Photo Story 3 and Movie Maker

 Uploading Resources
 Embedding Resources
 Conversion Tools

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(Part 4.1) Editors Photo Story 3

Photo Story 3 for Windows: Create slideshows using your digital photos. With
a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures. It’s that easy! Add
stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your
photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions. Photo Story 3 is
an almost perfect tool for digital photography enthusiasts, digital storytelling
and a must-have utility for anyone who enjoys their own digital photographs.
The effects generated by this application are both stunning and compelling,
and very similar to the photo slideshow capabilities that Media Center users
enjoy. However, by making Photo Story 3 available for free to all users of
Windows XP, Microsoft has both elevated the status of the XP platform and
given all XP users a wonderful simple way to create digital stories . If you're an
XP user, you can download Photo Story 3 and get busy having your students
creating their own digital stories. If you're not an XP user, then what are you
waiting for? Photo Story 3 is just one of many excellent reasons to try the art
of digital story telling.

 Resource Link: Tech "N" TuIt "Photo Story 3"

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(Part 4.2) Editors MovieMaker

Windows Movie Maker 2 lets you create, edit, and share your movies
right on your PC. It's easy to use, yet it provides powerful capabilities that
rival those of expensive computer editing packages. You can download
the software FREE from Microsoft. It works with both Windows XP Home
Edition and Windows XP Professional Edition. You can also store your
video and create links to your Wiki or embed HTML codes to play right off
your web site.

 Resource Link: Tech "N" TuIt "Windows MovieMaker

 Training Resource Link: Atomic Learning "Movie Maker"
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(Part 4.3) Posting and Storage Resources

Uploading” and “downloading” mean transferring data from one computer to another. The two words have the
same relationship as exporting and importing—the correct choice depends on which side of the border you’re on.
Uploading is sending, or exporting, data from one computer to another; downloading is retrieving, or importing
data from one computer to another.
 Capzles  Teacher Tube
 School Tube  Fliggo
 Vimeo  Glogster
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(Part 4.4) Embedding Digital Stories

Multimedia like sound, music and video files add some energy and interest to pages. Using code that has been
available for years now, you can embed any number of different types of multimedia files. Without all that fifing
around with embeds and non-standard code, the easiest way to put a video on your site is simply to upload it to
YouTube and then embed their version of the video on your site. On the side of most YouTube pages is a snippet
of code that will look something like this:

<object width="425" height="344">

<param name="movie"
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EBM854BTGL0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EBM854BTGL0&hl=en&fs=1"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344">
</embed>
</object>

Just paste onto your own page and the YouTube Flash video player will appear at that point. This solves most of
the compatibility problems that come with embedding a video yourself.

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(Part 4.5) Using Google Earth KMZ Digital Stories Locators

KML, or Keyhole Markup Language, is an XML grammar and file format for modeling and storing geographic
features such as points, lines, images, polygons, and models for display in Google Earth, Google Maps and other
applications. You can use KML to share places and information with other users of these applications. You can find
example KML files on the KML Gallery and Google Earth Community site that describe interesting features and
places.

A KML file is processed by Google Earth in a similar way that HTML and XML files are processed by web browsers.
Like HTML, KML has a tag-based structure with names and attributes used for specific display purposes. Thus,
Google Earth acts as browsers of KML files.

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(Part 4.6) Plug-In's

A software plug-in is an add-on for a program that adds functionality to it. For example, a Photoshop plug-in (such
as Eye Candy) may add extra filters that you can use to manipulate images. A browser plug-in (such as
Macromedia Flash or Apple QuickTime) allows you to play certain multimedia files within your Web browser. VST
plug-ins add effects for audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio.

Most graphics and audio programs today support plug-ins since they are a convenient way to expand the
capabilities of the program. Though some plug-ins may be shipped with the program, most are developed by
third-parties and are sold separately. Because companies that make browser plug-ins are often competing for a
standard (such as Flash and QuickTime), these plug-ins are usually available as free downloads from the Internet.

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(Part 5.0) Creating A Storyboard

Storyboarding helps to create a more exact sketch of the digital story and to define the technology tools that
might be included. Using a storyboard template can help a story teller reflect about both the sequence of events
and the technology they want to include. This might be as the story teller is reviewing content and deciding what
will actually translate into the story. At this instant, the story developer narrows their focus to a specific theme.
Once the content has been determined and the theme for the story has been decided, it is time to develop a story
board.

Creating a storyboard for your digital story is an important and necessary process for visualizing what your story
will look like in its completed form. The digital stories made in this workshop are time based—they progress
across time in a linear format. A storyboard is a visual road map that allows you to organize what you will be
seeing and hearing as your story moves from beginning to end. Creating a detailed storyboard in advance of the
editing process helps you to think about what images (photographs, video, other types of artwork) your story will
need and provides a guide for you to follow during the edit. Having a well-thought-out storyboard in advance of
production reduces the likelihood that you will end up frantically searching for visuals as you go along.
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(Part 5.1) DIGITAL STORY BOARD TEMPLATE DIRECTIONS

What Is a Digital Story?

Each of us has the ability to tell stories, from ancient times until the present man has told stories to cultivate and
document history. Today with the emergence of the digital age, storytelling is taking on a new form of storytelling,
called digital storytelling. Digital story telling combines the conversion of written narrative to digital voiceovers
that is aided by computer tools. By taking a written story and then converting into a digital sound narrative
provides a means for expressive creativity. Additionally, digital narratives can be overlaid to both digital pictures
and background music to give the digital story depth of expression and mood. An example of a digital story with
the emotion of time and expression can be found at Daniel Meadows site entitled “Scissors.”1

What are the elements of a digital story?

To construct a digital story there are a few elements in design to consider. First a digital story as an end product is
usually 2-5 minutes in length that includes a combination of narrative personal writing, photo images and a
musical soundtrack. Daniel Meadows states that “There's strictness to the construction of a Digital Story: Two
hundred and fifty words, a dozen or so pictures, and two minutes is about the right length. These strictures, I find,
make for elegance. Digital Stories are a bit like sonnets in this respect, multimedia sonnets from the people (only
it's probably better when they don't rhyme).” With the design elements defined the next question to answer
would be “What is an effective process to consider when constructing a digital story?”

What is the process for constructing a digital story?

The process begins by first defining the style that best fits the kind of digital story you would like to portray. The
KQED/DSI website suggests several types of story styles that can be used to create a digital story. These styles
include: a story narrative over pictures; a story with music over pictures; or a story with interviews and pictures.
The KQED/DSI has four chapters devoted to the construction of digital story telling that includes style definitions.

Why Should I Select A Theme?

Once the story style has been determined then a theme should be developed to support the story line. Themes
can range from stories about adventure, travel, places, artifacts, and memories. The most important part of digital
story design is its expressed point of view. An expressed point of view allows for the understanding of perspective
and what compelled the telling of the story in the first place. Without a point of view or perspective, a story can
appear to be a recitation of facts. A digital story is thus effective if it is told from an expressed point of view that
captures a mood or emotion about ones topic.
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 DIGITAL STORY BOARD TEMPLATE DIRECTIONS
PRODUCER
CLIP OR IMAGE
In this box you will place a
media sketch of what will
support your narrative. You can
draw, paste a picture, import a
graphic or include a title
heading. This box represents an
image reminder of what your
viewer will experience at this
point of you digital story.
NARRATION:
PROJECT TITLE
DESCRIPTION OF FRAME OR EVENT
In this box describe what will appear on
the screen include any pictures, clip art,
graphic or media representation such as
music, narrative, or sounds.
DESCRIPTION OF MEDIA
In this box make a list of the type of
technology and media you will
incorporate. This box will help you
organize folders, and gather materials
before you construct a digital story. Also
include any citations creative commons
material that you use in your
presentation for copyright purposes.
Your media list should include:
Music, songs, sounds, voice
recordings
Pictures, graphics, diagrams
Video clip
Text, titles, transitions
Type of Technology Incorporated
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Authentic Assessment

Tests and quizzes have been the bread and butter of educational systems for a century. The nationwide
movement toward use of 'authentic' assessments is improving on that tradition by asking students to
demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of different ways and 'real-world' contexts. Authentic assessment (also
known as "alternative assessment" or "performance assessment") seeks to gather information about a student's
level of knowledge by engaging him/her in a task that:
 offers an opportunity to demonstrate understanding as it applies to a real situation or possible scenario
 may extend his/her knowledge of the subject through completion of the task
 is designed to 'make visible' the students' performance on a specific set of criteria (related to course
objectives)
 Storyboards
 Rubrics
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Rubrics

A rubric as "a scoring tool that lists the criteria for a piece of work or 'what counts.' " For example, a rubric for an
essay might tell students that their work will be judged on purpose, organization, details, voice, and mechanics. A
good rubric also describes levels of quality for each of the criteria, usually on a point scale. Under mechanics, for
example, the rubric might define the lowest level of performance as "many misspellings, grammar, and
punctuation errors," and the highest level as "all words are spelled correctly; your work shows that you
understand subject-verb agreement, when to make words possessive, and how to use commas, semicolons and
periods."

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Sample Digital Story Rubric by Jessie West

CATEGORY Mastery - 4 pts Proficient - 3 pts Developing - 2 pts Emerging - 1 pt

Grammar and usage Grammar and usage Grammar and usage Repeated errors in
were correct and were typically were typically grammar and usage
Grammar

contributed to clarity, correct and errors correct but errors took away greatly
style and character did not take away took away from from the story.
development. from the story. story.

Mastery - 4 pts Proficient - 3 pts Developing - 2 pts Emerging - 1 pt

Voice quality is clear Voice quality is clear Voice quality is clear Voice quality needs
Voice - Consistency

and consistently and consistently and consistently more attention.

audible throughout audible throughout audible through
the presentation. the majority (85- some (70-84%)of the
95%) of the presentation.
presentation.

Mastery - 4 pts Proficient - 3 pts Developing - 2 pts Emerging - 1 pt

The pace (rhythm and Occasionally speaks Tries to use pacing No attempt to match
voice punctuation) fits too fast or too slowly (rhythm and voice the pace of the
the story line and for the story line. punctuation), but it storytelling to the
helps the audience The pacing (rhythm is often noticeable story line or the
Voice - Pacing

really "get into" the and voice that the pacing does audience.
story. punctuation) is not fit the story line.
relatively engaging Audience is not
for the audience. consistently
engaged.

Mastery - 4 pts Proficient - 3 pts Developing - 2 pts Emerging - 1 pt

Images create a Images create an An attempt was Little or no attempt
distinct atmosphere or atmosphere or tone made to use images to use images to
tone that matches that matches some to create an create an
different parts of the parts of the story. atmosphere/tone appropriate
Images

story. The images may The images may but it needed more atmosphere/tone.
communicate communicate work. Image choice
symbolism and/or symbolism and/or is logical.
metaphors. metaphors.

Mastery - 4 pts Proficient - 3 pts Developing - 2 pts Emerging - 1 pt

Length of presentation Length of Length of Presentation was
Presentation
Duration of

was 3-4 minutes. presentation was 2-3 presentation was 1-2 less than 1 minute
minutes. minutes. long OR more than 4
minutes.

Total

Reference Source: Jesse West

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Playing For Change: Peace Through Music

From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the follow up to the
classic "Stand By Me" and the second of many "songs around the world.” Featured is an incredible track written
by Pierre Minetti performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.

 Resource Link: Playing for Change


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“In multiple ways the world tells it’s story through a digital medium
that touches all of mankind.” M. D. King

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References

http://suse-step.stanford.edu/resources/LanguageSite/Authentic_Assessment.html

http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0012brain.html

http://ets.freetranslation.com/

http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com

http://www.needleworkspictures.com/vic/

http://www.atomiclearning.com/storyboardpro

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/informationliteracy/12to14/tell/Storyboarding/resources/genericcontent_tcm4268053.asp

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