Learning Through Social Storytelling Tools

Sandra Mohr & Jonathan SmallDecember 16, 2015

Stories are the secret reservoir of values:

Change the stories individuals and nations live by, and tell themselves, and you change

the individuals and nations.

- Ben Okri

6 Words About Yourself

Stories

Beginning – Middle – End

Storytelling

• Using words, images, and sounds to convey information

• Used in every culture for:• Education• Cultural Preservation• Entertainment

Popular Culture Storytelling Tools

• Paintings• Novels• Radio• Movies• Internet

History of Storytelling

• Allows people to share information and stories

• Before people could read, pictures were used.

Digital Storytelling

• Created as part of the learning experience• Helps students develop skills needed for

the 21st Centry• Can be developed for:

• Personal Narratives• Convey Instructional Material• Examine Historical Events

(Robin, 2008)

Digital Storytelling

• Offers a new way to educate people.• Simulate real life examples

• Training students for project work• Training for doctor-patient relationship

• Allows us to explain complex matters.• Gain more attention when the information is

interesting or exciting.• Integrates digital tools with traditional

storytelling methods.(vanGils, 2005)

Older Virtual Reality - Second Life Example

Potential Upcoming Tools

Student Storytelling Examples

Advantages of Digital Storytelling

• Variation• Personalization• Real Life Situations• Engaging• Active Learning

(Baim, 2015; vanGils, 2005)

Tools vs. Learning

Focus learning opportunities around the course outcomes. Don’t make it about the tools.

Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling

1. Point of View2. A Dramatic Question3. Emotional Content4. The Gift of Your Voice5. The Power of the Soundtrack6. Economy7. Pacing

(Robin, 2008)

Sample Storytelling Tools

AnimotioPrezi Infogram Padlet Piktochart Storybird Google Sites Slidebomb Screencast-o-maticStorify YouTube

Thank You

Jonathan Small – Director of Online Programs• Twitter - @jonathandsmall• Email - smallj1@wit.edu• Linkedin -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandsmallSandra Mohr – Director of Faculty Services

• Twitter - @SandraCoswatte• Email - Mohrs@wit.edu• Linkedin -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandracoswatte

Questions

References• Baim, S. A. (2015). Digital Storytelling: Conveying the Essence of a Face-to-Face Lecture in an

Online Learning Environment. The Journal of Effective Teaching, 47.•  Chung, S. K. (2006). Digital storytelling in integrated arts education. The International Journal

of Arts Education, 4(1), 33-50.•  Hung, C.M., Hwang, G.J., & Huang, I. (2012). A project-based digital storytelling approach for

improving students' learning motivation, problem-solving competence and learning achievement. Educational Technology and Society, 15 (4), 368–379.

•  Lambert, J. (2012). Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating community. Routledge.• Lundby, K. (2008). Digital storytelling, mediatized stories: Self-representations in new media

(Vol. 52). Peter Lang.• Meadows, D. (2003). Digital storytelling: Research-based practice in new media. Visual

Communication, 2(2), 189-193.• Ohler, J. (2006). The world of digital storytelling. Educational leadership, 63(4), 44-47.• Robin, B. R. (2008). Digital storytelling: A powerful technology tool for the 21st century

classroom. Theory into practice, 47(3), 220-228.• Sadik, A. (2008). Digital storytelling: A meaningful technology-integrated approach for

engaged student learning. Educational technology research and development, 56(4), 487-506.• van Gils, F. (2005, June). Potential applications of digital storytelling in education. In 3rd

twente student conference on IT (Vol. 7). University of Twente, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Enschede.