Digital Storytelling with Handheld Computers

Candace Figg, PhD.West Texas A&M University

http://www.figg.com/handy4class

What is a digital story?

“Storytelling from the images we collect in our lives”

Canadian Film Centre's Great Canadian Storytelling

Engine

What are the components of a digital story?

1. A good story

What are the components of a digital story?

1. A good story 2. Images that tell or enhance

the story•1-3 images OR•1-3 minutes of video

What are the components of a digital story?

1. A good story 2. Images that tell or enhance the

story•1-3 images OR•1-3 minutes of video

3. Sound that enhances (optional)http://www.wired.com/animation/collection/nicola_lemay/star_eater/

How about this?

http://www.wired.com/animation/collection/nicola_lemay/star_eater/

Advanced Organizer

• Identify the five types of digital stories

• Identify the digital story activity structures

• Describe the hierarchy of writing skills developed with digital stories

Four modes of writing

• Descriptive

• Narrative

• Expository

• Persuasive

Descriptive Activity Structures

Descriptive Activity Structures

• Introductory descriptive writing– Digital Records– Conceptual Dictionaries

Flowering Plants of Texas: A Digital Collection

Liriope

Dusty Miller

Daisy

Rose

Descriptive Activity Structures

• First experiences with descriptive story writing– Rephotography (

http://www.thirdview.org/3v/home/index.html )

Descriptive Activity Structures

• First experiences with descriptive story writing– Rephotography

(http://www.thirdview.org/3v/home/index.html )

– “Place” (http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan02/banaszewski.htm)

Trains and Fire Trucks

My favorite things

This is a great train!

I like the train but I don’t like the tunnel.

Can’t let Mom know I’m afraid of the tunnel. On to the fire truck!

Want to play fire truck! I’m the chief, OK.

Excuse me, but I think this is my fire truck.

Boy, what a wonderful day.

Descriptive Activity Structures

• First experiences with descriptive story writing– Rephotography

(http://www.thirdview.org/3v/home/index.html )

– “Place” (http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan02/banaszewski.htm)

• Digital Story Starters

Digital Storytelling

I heard him trying to break in!

I ran to the cabinet and grabbed my automatic, slammed a clip in and

chambered a round. I was scared as I snuck down the hall to the back

door.

I also grabbed a flashlight. I opened the door as quietly and as slowly as I

could. I tiptoed to the side of the house where I heard him still

working on the screen.

I turned the corner and put the flashlight and gun in his face. I

yelled, “Hands up” as he turned to face me.

Crime scene

Yep! Your right. It was a cat burglar.

Personal Photo Essays

Personal Photo Essays

• “Slice of life”

A day in Dr. Figg’s class

A photo essay

What do you think we will be doing in

class today?

Oh, I remember we are going to integrate the use of handhelds in to

our lesson plans.

What will happen? It may look like this.

Everyone will be on task.

Some will be working in groups.

Some will develop ideas before group activity begins.

Each group will gather photographs for their

own theme.

The class was very active.

Some were designing while some were brainstorming.

Still others were already writing their fable.

The fables were very good.

Personal Photo Essays

• “Slice of life” • Electronic Photo Albums

Looking for a TopicA photo essay

It was a beautiful sunny day in Denver and we were looking for a

story. This may be the place!

The statues in this plaza thought we might find a story in one of these building but it appeared as though it would take more time than we had to spare.

We continued to look for a story which we could find in a reasonable period of time.

We came upon a sad bear who was trying to find his way home.

He wouldn’t talk to Candace. He was just too sad.

She finally convinced him to talk to me.

He told us that the best place to find a story was at the home of Molly Brown.

He was right!

Personal Photo Essays

• “Slice of life” • Electronic Photo Albums • VIP or digital biographies

Personal Photo Essays

• “Slice of life” • Electronic Photo Albums • VIP or digital biographies• Oral histories

Sequential Storytelling

Sequential Storytelling

• Beginning, middle, end

Sequential Storytelling

• Beginning, middle, end• Capture phenomena as

occurs

Sequential Storytelling

• Beginning, middle, end• Capture phenomena as

occurs• Storyboarding

Sequential Storytelling

• Procedural– Step-by-Step guides– Video prompts

• Experimental• Differing View Points• Time lapse

Narrative Storytelling

Narrative Storytelling

• Introduction• Events that

lead to problem

• Problem or crisis

• Problem resolution

Narratives Storytelling

• Fairy tales: “Once upon a time”• Fables• Myths• Legends• Poems• Predictable stories• Commercials• Content Advertisements

Commercials as Storytelling

SCENE 1

Commercials as Storytelling

SCENE 1

SCENE 2

Commercials as Storytelling

SCENE 1

SCENE 2

SCENE 3

Commercials as Storytelling

SCENE 4

Summary of projectExample of projectDetails/definitions

Interactive Storytelling

Interactive Storytelling

Simulations & Virtual Labs

• Flash animations• Tealpaint animations

(Seed)• http://

www.brainpop.com

Interactive Storytelling

Choose your own adventure stories:

• 2-3 Storyboards• 2-3 Decision Points• http://

www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~middle/advent/

Any questions???

Be sure to email Dr. F!

To continue, return to the Connections Section of this module.