Why Digital Storytelling is a Great Learning Tool

Dr. Meg Rincker, Assistant Professor of Political ScienceLeslie Fusinato, PUC Student, Political Science

Jason Schultz, PUC Grad, Political Science, Class of 2013

Overview

• What Digital Storytelling (DS) Is

• Why I assign DS to my students

• Student Examples of their Digital Stories Process/and the Outcomes

• Your questions and comments

What Digital Storytelling Is

• Digital Storytelling is a process where learners create a short 2-4 minute “movie,” featuring their voice-over script, images, and background events.

• Ex. Facebook Status Posts vs.Your Facebook movie-dynamic, over time-select most important moments-synced to music for emphasis

Why I assign Digital Stories• I don’t have to be an expert in a technology to

assign it to students! Expectations, Logistics, management.

• We are at the Premier Engineering University in world, people expect our students to be tech-savvy.

• Students know more tech already, or can figure out more than we give them credit for.

• It helped get Matteo Renzi appointedYoungest Italian Prime Minister.

Generally, A Two Week Process-Before Semester starts, identify lab space or request software install. -Thursday - Kristin Norris, IUPUI did Google Chat, giving live PowerPoint on Digital Story process.– Tuesday- Students bring “Storyboard,” a script to

class. I review/revise scripts; they gather images. – Thursday- Students have class time to record script,

finalize putting images to words and music.– Saturday 10:59 pm CST- Students sent me a

YouTube link their “unlisted” Digital Stories.

From Storyboard to Movie (Leslie)

• What Storyboard is– Script– Highlighting Key Words Gather Images save to Flash Drive

• Import Images to movie-making software (PhotoStory, Imovie, Windows Movie Maker).

• Record script in software, fit images and music (karaoke) files to script.

Leslie’s Digital Story on Global Counter-Terrorism• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmi28DpkCiM&feature=y

outube

What We Learned From Making a Digital Story (Jason)

• Status Quo of A Policy Issue

• Presentation using Emotional Appeal

• Build Connections From Isolated Issue to Other Related Issues

Jason’s Digital Story on Conventional Ammunition Stockpiles• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mVpeV1Anps&fea

ture=youtu.be

Challenges• Getting Music Volume Right

• Recording Smooth Narration

• Fitting Images longer to fill narration

• Deciding whether to use the laptop/computer you know, versus using someone else’s machine that gives you access to easier software, microphone etc.

• Look on Youtube for quick tutorials on Imovie, PhotoStory, Windows Movie Maker.

Rewards!!

• Instructor : variety in types of assignments to grade.

• Student: a concrete deliverable/product they can show an employer or post on LinkedIn.

• Knowing video will be seen/shared increases the quality of the student’s final product.

Questions?

• Your thoughts or comments on ways to use Digital Stories in your classes…