As technology improves, we have more and more ways to help students improve their acquisition of knowledge. Studies have shown that presenting information using various media has a positive impact on knowledge retention and reaches more types of learners. And teachers know that integrating art or technology into a lesson plan improves student engagement and enriches the learning environment. Digital storytelling converges all of these factors in the classroom.
A Creative Approach
As teachers we likely already bring in videos to augment our instruction, but are we giving our elementary and middle school students the skills to communicate and present in this medium? Creating videos demand addressing more senses than simply a reader looking at lines of text needs. Animating those words with sound, images, and motion deepens the impact of a video over the plain written word. Accessing each of these senses to tell a coherent story is a modern skill set that students as young as six or seven can begin to develop.
The production process involved in digital storytelling offers a scaffolding to support the study of almost any topic. Instead of researching, organizing the content, and then writing a paper or making a shoebox diorama or taking a test, students can follow the same steps of research and organization but complete the exercise with a movie.
Teaching Tools Make It Easy
Teachers have more and more demands on their time and may not feel comfortable teaching digital storytelling skills without a background in film, art, or computer skills. Fortunately, they can access an easy-to-follow curriculum online that walks them through lessons in the classroom with guided lectures, instructional videos, and handouts. Not only are sample videos to analyze and critique included in almost every lesson, but there are even “teacher training” courses to build your knowledge and confidence in the classroom
Digital Storytelling Encourages Students to Think Creatively
Polls show that employers believe the number one most important trait desired in tomorrow’s workers is the ability to “think out-of-the-box.” The multi-dimensional facets of creating a digital storytelling project allow even those claiming to “not be creative”, to create a project that can be delivered for a grade as well as shared with classmates and friends. Whether your students undertake a documentary film project, a stop motion animation, or a live action film, they will be assimilating skills essential for 21stcentury discourse.
Stop waiting for the right time to increase the value of your lessons! Check out the digital storytelling curriculum and STEAM instruction available now at Digistars!