Digital Storytelling
Digital stories combine images, voice, music and sometimes written text into a short ‘mini-movie’. They’re constructed easily on a computer with basic hardware and software, and the resulting movie file can be viewed via CD, DVD or online.
The international digital storytelling ‘movement’ is generally accredited as having developed from a group of media artists, designers, and practitioners in San Francisco over 10 years ago, who came together to explore how personal stories and storytelling could inform the emergence of a new set of digital media tools. The resulting Centre for Digital Storytelling has trained thousands of people since that time.
Traditionally digital stories have been used to capture the lives, emotions, experiences and the ‘journeys’ or transformation of everyday people. They are personal, intimate, and highly engaging. They are being used by media production units, health organisations, youth programs and community development groups.
In Australia there is also a growing interest in the use of Digital Storytelling in education and training, to re-engage learners, for project reporting and to give a ‘voice’ to learners who would not confidently put pen to paper but who have amazing stories to tell.
Digital storytelling is a new and exciting way to disseminate information and its adaptation within the VET sector has opened up new pathways to teaching and learning.
Websites
Wikipaedia – Digital Storytelling
Wikipedia entry for digital storytelling, offering community contributed information on the topic.
Digital Storytelling in VET: a wiki by and for teachers
This site provides an introduction to Digital Storytelling (DST) in VET and is developed by teachers for teachers. It provides an overview of DST and how to get started, potential uses of DST, software options, and how it can be applied to VET.
Australian Digital Storytelling network site
This is the communication hub for the Australian DST network. Members use the site to discuss approaches and techniques for digital storytelling. The site also includes a range of resources, links and news of events and developments.
Digital and traditional storytelling: workshop information and public resource
This site belongs to Jason Ohler, President’s Professor of Educational Technology, University of Alaska, and is in conjunction with digital storytelling workshops given by Prof Ohler. It provides a workshop overview, handouts, other websites and resources.
Digital Storytelling - Southern Westernport Learning Communities
Digital storytelling is a new method of capturing lives, experiences and creating community. It is more than just adding images to text. Digital stories are like short movies with voice-overs, audio, captions and special effects.
Capture Wales
BBC Wales is working with digital storyteller Daniel Meadows from the Centre for Journalism Studies at Cardiff University. The Capture Wales project runs monthly workshops around Wales, working with members of the public to help them create their own digital stories.
Center for Digital Storytelling
The Centre for Digital Storytelling is a California-based non-profit arts organization rooted in the art of personal storytelling. The Centre assists young people and adults in using the tools of digital media to craft, record, share, and value the stories of individuals and communities, in ways that improve all our lives.
Publications
Telling Tales: a peek into the world of digital storytelling
A paper delivered at The Learning Powerhouse , TAFE NSW ICVET, 2005 by R Jay, L Connors and E . The paper gives a brief outline of the development of digital storytelling, what it involves, the tools needed and its possible application in VET.
I’m telling: The rise and rise of digital storytelling
This is a review by Guy Kemshal-Bell (2005) on 'Telling Tales: A peek into the world of digital storytelling' which was presented at The Learning Powerhouse, TAFE NSW ICVET, 2005. This article summarises the presentation.
Agency for instructional technology eZine
A featured interview with Jason Ohler, President’s Professor of Educational Technology, University of Alaska. He talks about the increasing use of multi-media in pedagogy, educational research and professional development.