In today’s new world, the internet and social media thrive. The art of storytelling has evolved to expand its depths into the technology realm. What is digital storytelling? Digital storytelling (DS) is the fusion of narrative and digital media content. It has gained prominence in classrooms, libraries, and out-of-school contexts as a strategy for integrating learning environments with engaging technology-based activities that can potentially expand children’s repertoires of practice (Robin, 2008; Thompson, 2005). In this blog post, I will explore the concept of digital storytelling, its significance, and how it changes how we communicate in a library setting.
As technology will never be able to replace face-to-face instruction, the same can be said about digital storytelling and traditional storytelling. However, when used with purpose, digital storytelling can provide engagement, accessibility, and interactivity to your audience. Through multimedia, digital storytelling can captivate audiences with immersive experiences through visual and auditory aids. Digital storytelling provides students with new experiences and stories and breaks the global barrier of a classroom or library setting. Technology platforms allow users to share, re-create, re-imagine, and share digital stories with viewers worldwide. Students will be able to learn new words, traditions, fables, and languages.
Digital storytelling is not only for the library. There are many benefits to using them in a classroom setting as well. However, as a classroom teacher for nine years, I sometimes do not know where to find authentic digital storytelling experiences. As a future librarian, I can be the bridge between our classroom teachers and the digital realm. “Librarians
can become part of the implementation of digital stories by offering their knowledge of resources, technological expertise, and support to teachers.(Borneman Ö Gibson, 2011).
According to Lisenbee and Ford, the best way to introduce and implement digital storytelling in a classroom or library setting is through a SMARTboard. However, many websites and apps can be accessed on various devices, increasing the availability of the digital realm.
- GetEpic.com
- Storylineonline.net
- Audible.com
- Starfall.com
- StoryCreator
- ChatterPix
- PuppetEdu
Digital storytelling is not only about telling a story but also about contributing and collaborating with a community. A chat platform enables real-time interaction. This communication can be between the teachers or students who create the digital media and their viewers. This interaction fosters engagement and active participation in discussions and Q&A sessions. Fostering this collaboration can also create a community of resource sharing where students and educators can easily share resources, links, and documents, making a digital storytelling platform a repository and valuable learning material.
Ahn and Filipenko (2007) state, “In telling, listening to, and reading
stories, children transform experiences into original compositions by combining reality and fantasy. Personal storytelling serves as a resource for young children as they come to express and understand who they are” (p 280).
Digital storytelling offers a powerful means of communication and expression, providing a platform for creativity, engagement, and the ability to reach a broad audience. It allows individuals to merge various forms of media to convey their narratives, making it a versatile and compelling tool for education, marketing, and personal expression. However, it is essential to be mindful of potential drawbacks, such as issues of digital literacy, authenticity, and the risk of information overload. Therefore, while digital storytelling can be a valuable and enriching tool, users should approach it like anything else with critical thinking and responsible usage to harness its full potential.
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