Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling is the art of turning a personal narrative into a multimedia experience.  It is like Digital Show and Tell - that is using digital imagery (pictures) to tell a story.  It should be a creative endeavor using any one of the following Formats:

Ghost story, Fable, Funny Tale, Class Trip, Poetry, Short Story, Rhyme, Science Fiction, Mystery, Drama, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Thriller, or any other format approved by the teacher.

The basic components of your story should include:

• An Introduction or Beginning which will introduce the characters ( that's at least each member of your group using your real names ), a plot or some background information, and a Setting,
• A Story Line describing a series of events involving your characters - what they experience, feel, do, throughout the story,
• An expression of a variety of emotions such as happiness, embarrassment, sadness, surprise, confusion, disappointment, love, satisfaction, etc. as the story unfolds,
• An ending which is clear and ties up the essence of the story.
  

To complete this project, here is what you are to do:

1. Get together in small groups of 3 or 4 people and decide on a Format for your story from the ones listed above (use Google for background information on these formats if needed). 
2. Decide on an appropriate Setting or group of settings which will support your Story (can be anywhere - go some place interesting - have some fun but keep in mind that you will be developing a Digital Story and the elements of that story as described above). This Setting(s) is where you will take lots of pictures which will tell your story. Develop some idea of your Story Line - this will help you as you decide what pictures you need to take.
3. As a group, meet at your decided Setting(s) during the time noted on our class schedule (or any other time you can get together depending on the Setting).
4. Keep notes of your activities and document what you do with lots of pictures that you will use when you present your Story - people you meet, activities, signs, - make sure you have lots of pictures supporting your Story Line - as an extra credit, try taking digital video if you have a digital camera and include this video as part of your story.
5. If you have a digital camera, use it - if not, use a regular camera and get the pictures put on CD so you have them for the next class. 
6. Edit your pictures for size and quality as needed using Microsoft PowerPoint or any Photo Editor and save them on your USB Flash Drive.
7. Come to the next class ready to create your Digital Story using PowerPoint. We'll review the basics of PowerPoint during the next class to make sure you are comfortable with that tool.  Your Story should be about 10 - 15 minutes in length and consist of a series of Pictures with Call Outs and little other text. If you used a digital camera, make sure your pictures are saved to CD or USB Flash Drive so that you don't waste time trying to access them. Or, make sure you know how to access them from the camera's memory stick using a computer in the lab - you might have to bring cables, etc and you can't download software to support your digital camera in our lab.
8. Be prepared to present your Digital Story to our class the following week.