Digital storytelling

In Robin's (2008) article, Digital Storytelling: A Powerful Technology Tool for the 21st Century Classroom, there are numerous benefits have been introduced about digital storytelling. However, a study from the U.S Department of Education (2007) indicated that classrooms with technology products share the similar result with the non-technical classrooms and it has been a waste of money and time for the investment of technology. Robin found out that how and why students and teachers are engaged by new technologies and some advantages of digital storytelling in educational aspect. Moreover, digital storytelling can be used on other areas such as personal narratives etc. Lastly, Robin introduced Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) and how it can be used with digital storytelling.  

I personally agree with Robin that digital storytelling is more affordable and accessible compared with other technology. Digital storytelling is simple to create (There is a video about what digital storytelling is and the things you need to do to create a story which are pictures, background music and a story) and is make for everyone. Zukowski (2008) stated that teachers and students with little or no technical background should be able to create digital stories. Digital storytelling is not complex as it does not require much skills or knowledge, therefore, it is easy for students and teachers to access and use. Digital storytelling is also affordable, according to the video, anyone with computer can create their own story. Robin (2008) stated that the tools needed for digital storytelling are computers, scanners, digital cameras and high-quality digital audio capture devices which have become increasingly inexpensive. Digital storytelling enhance lessons within a larger unit and the rules are easy to follow.

Robin stated that ‘Researchers such as Hibbing and Rankin-Erikson (2003) and Boster, Meyer, Toberto, & Inge (cited by Robin, 2008) have shown that the use of multimedia in teaching helps students retain new information as well as aids in the comprehension of difficult material’. Digital storytelling is multimedia project combing text, images, audio and video files into short film clips. With the help of various medias used, digital storytelling helps make the class more engaging and the content more understandable and interesting for students (Robin, 2008). The use of sound and movie is different from normal ways of teaching which will attract students’ attention and make the lessons more interesting for them. Digital storytelling is narrative which helps students learn from the stories and remember their meanings hence it is more comprehensive and understandable.

However, I believe that teachers should not be afraid of using new technology and showing to the class. Robin cited in the reading, Judge, Puckett and Cabuk (2004) concluded some teachers who have not received adequate training about selecting appropriate technology are not confident in choosing software and integrating technology for classroom. Therefore, it is important for us as a teacher to have background knowledge of using technology in education and take the best advantage of it. 

As for digital storytelling, it is a useful tool for teaching and it is easy to use hence for me as a future educator, I will not only use it for myself, but let my students to create their own stories by using digital storytelling for some assignments. Digital storytelling might be helpful for me by providing ‘the ability to think and use technology in critical, creative and responsible ways, which will develop and enhance TPCK’ (Robin cited in Hicks).

References

Gratigny, J. (Producer), (2009).What is Digital Storytelling [video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKZiXR5qUlQ 
(Link for video)

Robin, B.R. (2008). Digital storytelling: A powerful technology tools for the 21st century classroom. Theory Into Practice, 47, 220 - 228.

Zukowski., Ann, A., MHSH., & DMin. (2008). The Digital Storytelling. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/docview/194688591/fulltextPDF?accountid=14723 

For the images

http://emily-galusub.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/digital-storytelling.html

http://e-learning-innovations-2011.wikispaces.com/3.+Telling+the+Story

http://slid.es/tracywatanabe/addressing-common-core-through-digital-storytelling