Students advertising their school...via Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling is a highly engaging student-centred technology that I can say from first-hand experience is a great way to engage learners. I have previously taught this technology as part of a Year 10 Software subject on a previous practicum placement. We used Windows Photo Story throughout the duration of the term as students had to create their own story using digital media technologies. For this technology to be effective, it must be used in a context where the learning of the ICT learning tool (Photo Story) is firstly modelled to the students (scaffolded) who can then go ahead and use this technology in their own learning tasks (individual assessment item).

In terms of using digital storytelling with my students, I would again use it in the context of a year 9 or 10 Software course as the students need a sound understanding of media technologies (manipulating sound and video technologies) in order to complete the task in the given time frame (one term). It is so imperative that this technology of digital storytelling is effectively modelled to the students prior to them commencing their learning journeys with the tool. However, like any technology, learners learn best when they are engaging with the technology first-hand and so sufficient time needs to be allocated to allowing them to do this.

Students would be required to design and develop an advertisement for their school which would form the focus of the digital story and would subsequently be recognised as their cumulative learning task. Students would be allowed access to a number of photos and logos as contained on the school’s common drive which would assist students to tell their story. Furthermore, to more fully adhere to the syllabus requirements, students would have to make a mini promo video (in small groups) which would advertise the school’s features to potential students. Sound effects, images, videos and words would be expected to be used when undertaking the task.

The San Fernando Education Technology Team website offers a variety of storyboards which I will most certainly refer when designing future learning experiences.

Reference:
Oliver, R 1999, Learning Design: The Learning Design Construct, viewed 9 August 2009, http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm.