Digital Story TellingPresented by

David Brear( DKB Consulting )

For IT4BC Conference

June 10 & 11, 2010

Surrey, BC

What is a Digital Story

A digital story is a 21st century form of mass communication that harks back to the ancient art of oral

storytelling. This contemporary form of mediated communication

combines traditional techniques from television, video production radio, newspapers and magazines with contemporary multimedia tools to deliver informative and entertaining short productions with text, still and motion images, sound, music, and voice.

They are script-driven and all about the articulation of a

coherent verbal expression – the voice – of the narrator.

The best digital stories usually ….

Begin with a script that focuses the writing before audio and video are created or manipulated.

Are quite personal with the narrator making it clear how something or somebody impacted her or his life.

Are concise at two to five minutes long with story narrowed down to a single nugget of one central idea.

Use easily-available source materials such as still photos, hand drawings, scanned images, transition effects, and recorded narrative.

Include universal story elements of conflict, transformation,and closure in a way with which the audience can identify and be changed.

Involve collaboration in which people give and receive

feedback during scripting and production.

Digital stories come in many forms …

Personal narrative Fictional story Movie or book trailer Public relations message Movie or book review Interview Song Rebus riddle

Very short documentary Reminiscence Persuasive charitable pitch Animation Learning instruction Poem Photographic journey Lots of other forms

Value of Digital Stories

Active, not passive process Creates atmosphere of excitement and fun Bridges school and community Weaves into all subject areas Effective for both visual and auditory learners Fosters appropriate use of technology within

curriculum

Frazel, Midge “Digital Storytelling”,Pg. 11, ISTE, 2010

Each Picture Tells a Story

My Own Digital Story Leaving England at age 9 Coming to Canada on the Ascania II Landing in Halifax, Pier 21 , March ‘55

*Mentioned at the Vancouver Olympics’ Opening Ceremony in a quote from Mr. Joe Schlesinger's about his arriving in Canada as a refugee.

Flying to Toronto Arriving at my new school Peers laughing at me

( Click pic for video )

GETTING STARTED

Brainstorm ideas Story board your ideas Write your script Collect materials/resources Decide on your software Start putting your Digital Story together Test it as you create it

EQUIPMENT IDEAS

Computer, Mac or PC Software, eg., Apple’s iMovie, MS Movie Maker, PhotoStory 3 Web based software, eg. Animoto, PhotoPeach, Mixbook Scanner Digital Still Camera Digital Video Camera Digital Music, iPod Microphone with headset Laptop Wireless Network Digital Voice Recorder

PUTTING the DST TOGETHER

Scan and place pictures Collect and try and lay the music track Practice and lay the voice track Create and insert video clips Edit, edit, edit !! Try it often !! Let friends view it as you create it !! Be open to suggestions to improve it !!

QUESTIONS to ANSWER

Does it fit the specific time limit ? Does it work for you, the creator ? Does it say what you want it to say ? Does it reflect your script, storyboard ? Does the voice fit in the right footage ? Does the music work for the footage selected ? Is the music level higher/lower than your voice ?

Examples Using Different Software

iMovie - is a video editing software application

Olympic Torch Relay, Lynn Valley Center Animoto - the end of slideshows.

Olympic Torch Relay, Lynn Valley Center

PhotoPeach - the idea is to help you tell better stories online, using photos. Olympic Torch Relay, Lynn Valley Center

Mixbook - Free Online Digital Storytelling Software.

Olympic Torch Relay, Lynn Valley Center

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Examples from the University of North Carolina, 2008 - 2009

Genesis of Elexcia 1:49, Elexcia Robinson, Feb.

29, 2008 Baq-N-Da-DAyz 1:36,

Michael Watson, Feb. 29,

2008 College Countdown 1:42,

Marquita Brazier, Mar.

11, 2008

Moment of Clarity 2:26, Toy Parson, Feb. 28, 2008

Toy Transformers Part II 4:04, Robert Stevens,

Mar. 1, 2008 Stay Focus 3:18, Laquita

Brooks, Mar. 10, 2008

Resources

Digital Story Telling - Dave Brear’s Resource Site on DST

Digital Stories -This Website was designed by District 219, Niles Township, Skokie, Illinois, to showcase digital stories told by students and their teachers.

CogDogRoo - Story Tools, Web 2.0 Way Educational Uses of Digital Story Telling - From the

College of Education, University of Houston Digital StoryTelling - Jdorman’s Grazing for Digital

Natives

More Resources

Thanks

To Meg Goodine for accepting my proposal. To the many many people whose stories are waiting

to be told. To the many students who have shared their stories. And to you for attending.