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CTE Home >> Programs >> Instructional Technology Programs >> Digital Storytelling >> Program Overview

The CTE Digital Storytelling Program (DST) - Spring 2013

Program Overview

The DST program is for faculty who are interested in developing and incorporating their own (or student generated) digital stories in their teaching practice as a means to share narrative stories, provide background information on a particular topic or issue, generate interest and deep reflection, foster insight, encourage discussion and enhance student engagement and learning. Participants will engage with a cohort of other faculty in sequenced sessions throughout the Spring 2013 semester, in which they will be introduced to concepts and engage in discussion and hands-on practice. Each participant will create their own digital story based on some aspect of their own learning or teaching and share this with cohorts in the program. Participants will then discuss what they have learned, identify how they will incorporate digital storytelling into their course(s) and create a second story and plan for use of digital storytelling during the upcoming semester. Following implementation in their practice, participants will regroup to discuss and document their experience and impact on their teaching and student engagement. Participants will be encouraged to share their reflection and a copy of their story(ies) with the Center for Teaching Excellence for use as examples for other faculty and possibly present to other interested faculty during a lunch-time discussion.

Program dates and details are listed below:

(Day 1) Friday, February 1, 2013

9 AM – 11:30 AM

  • Welcome and overview of the program schedule
  • • Overview of DST, viewing examples of digital stories and discussing the importance of clear, concise narrative, script writing and the power of images to convey story.
     

    Overview
    Introduction to Digital Storytelling

    During this session, we will look as some examples of digital stories, provide an overview of a process for creating your own personal narrative as digital story(ies) and help faculty begin to explore how DST might work in their discipline/content area, such as sharing experiences, histories and ideas. We will discuss the process of sharing stories in a story circle as preparation for engaging in that exercise in an upcoming session. We will consider what it means to use the power narrative form, visual images, transitions and sound to transform a story into a digital format for delivery in a 3 to 4 minute video.

    Preparation for Next Session

    Be ready to participate in a story circle and verbally tell your story as a personal narrative, which reflects some aspect of your own teaching and learning. Note that each participant will be limited to 10 minutes to share their own personal narrative and then invite 5 minutes of feedback from other participants.

    Resources

    The instructor will provide:

    • Examples of digital stories
    • Short clips which talk about the importance of writing a short, concise story and the need for editing
    • Links to other stories and online resources

(Day 2) Friday, February 8, 2013

9 AM – 11:30 AM

  • Participants will orally share their initial stories in a "story circle", after which they participate in discussion to refine their story as a script.
     

    Overview
    Participation in a Story Circle

    Story circles, just as the name implies, are made up of a group of people who gather in a circle to share their stories. Engagement in a story circle can be an intensely personal and emotional experience and successful work in this exercise relies on trust of those in the circle to listen deeply and when asked, share their comments in a positive and constructive manner. In this session, each person will orally share their own personal narrative about some aspect of their own teaching and learning, which they intend to transform into a digital story during this workshop. Each participant will be limited to10 minutes to share their own personal narrative and then invite 5 minutes of feedback from other participants. This session will encourage deep listening and provide each participant with valuable feedback, which will help in editing their original draft into a script of 250 - 300 words.

    Participants should

    Take notes to record feedback on your story and on the stories of others. Reflect upon feedback from the story circle. Identify the key elements of your story and consider ideas expressed in the overall discussion, which may be used to enhance your work. This will help you begin to refine your script and think about 5 - 20 visual images, which represent your key elements and can convey action, mood, etc. and add meaning to your story.

    Resources

    • Your script
    • Feedback from others
    • Personal notes


(Day 3) Friday, February 15, 2013 (3 Topics)

9 AM – 11:30 AM

  • Reflect on the last session / Story Circle
  • Script Development Exercise
  • Introduction to Storyboarding
  • Introduction to finding free resources - Images/sounds

Script Development

  • View “Story Circle” as one approach to telling a story and reflect on the story circle experience
  • 20 minute exercise (tell your story in 250-300 words)
  • Brief consultation with CTE staff as needed
     

    Overview
    Script Development

    This session will provide an opportunity to reflect on the story circle experience and see one example of the transition of a story into a short digital story.

    Script Development Activity

    Participants will engage in an exercise that should enable them to condense their story into 250-300 words.

    Participants Should

    • Identify key elements in your individual story
    • Begin to think about how images and sounds might be used to condense the script
    • Participate in an exercise to help reduce the script to about 300 words

    Resources

    • Index card provided by the instructor

Storyboarding

  • Storyboarding will be introduced as a production technique and participants will use this technique to guide the selection, sequence, timing, transition of images, sounds and narration, which they will use to produce a digital story.
  • Hands-on storyboard development
     

    Overview
    Storyboarding / Scripting

    This session introduces participants to "storyboarding" as a means to align portions of their story/script with specific images and sounds. It will become the guide to editing and production of their digital story. The Frytag Triangle will be discussed as a guide to the development of narrative and guide to the flow of a story.

    PREPARATION (prior to next session)
    Storyboarding

    Participants will develop their own storyboard and through this process, refine their script and plan for timing in the delivery of specific elements and the overall project.

    Participants Should

    • Develop your individual storyboard
    • Begin to define images (types) and sounds (mood)
    • Develop a list keywords and a searching strategy to guide searching for resources

    Resources

    • Your draft script
    • Reflection upon the story circle experience

    Preparation for Session
    Know what types of images and sounds you want to use – be prepared to begin searching for resources.


Intro to finding free resources - Images/sounds

  • Flickr
  • Google Image
  • FreeSound Project
  • Internet Archives
  • Jumundo

     

    Overview
    Intro to finding free resources - Images/sounds

    The development of digital stories relies upon the use of images, sounds and music. Many times, storytellers use their own resources, however the stories and the development process can be enhanced and expedited by using existing works of others. This session will introduce participants to some web sites that provide freely available resources through the generosity of others who are willing to share their works through Creative Commons Licensing and attribution. Searching techniques will be demonstrated and the documentation of resources and file management will be emphasized.

    Participants Should

    • Try a few searches along with the instructor to gain basic familiarity with the sites and search techniques
    • Be able to search, select and use resources with appropriate permission and documentation

    Resources

    Continued personal storyboard development and begin searching for images

(Day 4) Friday, February 22, 2013

9 AM – 11:30 AM

Participants will be introduced to low overhead production techniques and will begin to edit and produce their own stories.
 

Overview
Introduction to MS Movie Maker and/or iMovie for the Mac. Begin Editing and Producing a Digital Story

Participants in DST program are encouraged to use their own laptop computer. Desktop PC’s will be available for work during our meetings. However, Mac users must have their own laptop and iMovie software. Working on your own, between sessions will require access to your own computer. MS Movie Maker or iMovie will be the primary tools supported in the Digital Storytelling Program. These have been selected because they are low overhead tools and they are freely and available. This means that the majority of faculty and students will have access to the tools and with a little effort, will be able to create their own stories, which build on the power of images.
Participants will be guided through the basic tools and procedures to create, save, and then output a project as video for distribution. This overview of the process will include hands-on exercises to prepare participants for individual production.

Activity
Group work with provided images
Following the instructor overview of the editing process, participants will use a common group of images to see how images are added and narration is recorded. Common elements, such as panning and zooming, transitions, titles, etc. will be demonstrated. We will see how to edit the duration of each image as desired and how to add music or other audio files to enhance the story.

Participants may begin to engage in personal work and experiment toward the creation of their own digital story. CTE staff will be available to consult with you during this time. This work will be continued on personal time over the next two weeks.

PERSONAL WORK (Oct. 6 – Oct. 18, 2012)
PREPARATION for March 1, 2013 Session

 

Over the next 2 weeks, participants will work on their own to begin/continue editing and identify any questions or need for assistance.

  1. Acquire any additional digital resources needed
  2. Personal recording and editing
  3. Transform individual script /storyboard into their own digital story
  4. Assistance from facilitator(s) as needed
  5. Work toward the deadline for sharing your story in “Showtime”

*Participants are welcome and encouraged to contact the CTE instructor and set an appointment for personal consultation.

 Resources

  • Your personal computer with (MS Movie Maker for PC) (iMovie for Mac)
  • Personal script
  • Storyboard
  • Collected digital resources
  • Headset microphones (recommended)
  • Audacity audio recording/editing software
  • Internet access
  • CTE Staff

Distribution of Digital Stories

Digital stories may be produced in different file types for different purposes. This session discuss some of the options and will demonstrate how to use YouTube and iTunes U as locations for the distribution of digital stories. This topic will be revisited at a later date, as participants have stories to share.

(Day 5) Friday, March 1, 2013
9 AM – 11:30 AM

Discussion / Work Day Toward Completion of Personal Story

 

We will spend the first portion of the session addressing any questions, which have arisen over the past 2 weeks.

Participants will continue to work individually on editing and producing a completed story to be shared on November 2, 2012. Group and individual consultation/guidance will be provided as appropriate.

We will again, discuss file formats and review the process for saving work and the publication of stories for online distribution.

*BETWEEN SESSION 5 AND 6 – REQUIRED INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION

Due to Spring Break (March 3-10, 2013) we will have a 2-week break between our sessions. However, Participants will be REQUIRED to contact the CTE instructor and set an appointment for personal consultation during this 2-week period (prior to the next session). Former participants have identified that personal consultation at this point in the program is extremely important if not critical to their success.

(Day 6) Friday, March 15, 2012
9 AM – 11:30 AM

Sharing Our Stories

 

The goal at this point is not perfection, but an opportunity to celebrate your success, reflect on the journey, invite comments and discussion with your peers and begin to vision where you will go from here.

Location and Resources Provided:

  • PC classroom space in Cabell Library, 320
  • Projection and audio connections

(Day 7) Friday, March 22, 2013
9 AM – 11:30 AM

Discussion and Planning for the Use of DST in Your Own Practice

 

This session will provide the opportunity for participants to share and exchange ideas about developing and incorporating their own (or student generated) digital stories in their teaching practice. We will focus on DST as a means to share narrative stories, provide background information on a particular topic or issue, generate interest and deep reflection, foster insight, encourage discussion and enhance student engagement and learning. Following this exchange, each participant will begin development of a second story and a plan for use of digital storytelling during the next semester (Another Story Circle opportunity). This story and plan will be shared during our last session.

TWO WEEKS OF PERSONAL PRODUCTION TIME - Participants will be REQUIRED to contact the CTE instructor and set an appointment for personal consultation during this 2-week period (prior to the next session)

(Day 8) Friday, April 5, 2013
9 AM – 11:30 AM

Group Discussion / Work Day

 

Hands-on editing, discussion and help.
This session will provide participants with the opportunity to continue development of their story and/or implementation plan for incorporating their own (or student generated) digital stories in their teaching practice during the upcoming semester. This will also be an opportunity to continue conversation with peers and for individual consultation with CTE staff.

(Day 9) Friday, April 12, 2013
9 AM – 11:30 AM

Sharing Our Stories and Plans for Implementation in Teaching Practice

 

Participants will share the story they have created for use during the upcoming semester and discuss their implementation plan for incorporating their own (or student generated) digital stories in their teaching practice.

Implementation in your practice (date for discussion to be established by the group)

Implementation in your practice (date for discussion to be established by the group)

Following implementation (next semester), participants will regroup to discuss and document their experience and impact on their teaching and student engagement. Participants will be encouraged to share their reflection and a copy of their story(ies) with the Center for Teaching Excellence for use as examples for other faculty and possibly present to other interested faculty during a lunch-time discussion.

Advance preparation by participants

The development of a personal narrative requires deep reflection. Through reflection, we can often learn about our past and see new opportunities for our future. Participants are asked to spend time in advance of the first session, to reflect on some aspect of their own teaching and/or learning that they are interested in exploring and sharing. Everyone should arrive at the first session with a draft of his or her personal story. The point is, that the development your story should be a personal narrative and not someone else's story.

Examples might be from (but not limited to):

  • The impact of some childhood experience which led to your interest in learning and teaching others
  • Your engagement with community projects which have influenced your teaching
  • The path of developing your personal teaching philosophy
  • Some connection between personal events and your desire to learn/teach
  • How working with others in various settings has changed your point of view and impacted your teaching
  • Working with special needs individuals
  • Taking learning into the community
  • An a-ha moment in your own learning/teaching experience
  • Other…

During the program, this draft will be refined into a script of about 250-300 words, for narration of a three to four minute digital story. Although the original draft will most likely be longer, participants will learn how to tighten this up as they consider the impact of media on the delivery of a digital story.

Participants should frame their story by considering things such as:

  • View of learning subject
  • Struggling with a concept
  • Most valuable learning experience
  • Greatest moment teaching
    

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Last modified: March 1, 2013
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