7 Elements of Digital Storytelling

The 7 Elements of Digital Storytelling include: point of view, a dramatic question, emotional content, gift of voice, power of soundtrack, economy, and pacing. Point of view refers to the author's point of view and the dramatic question that is asked at the beginning of the story is answered at the end. The emotional content is addressed to the reader in a serious, and personal way. The gift of voice of your voice refers to the author making their story their own so that the reader can understand the story completely. Power of soundtrack is used to create a certain mood and helps the flow of the digital story. The economy aspect of the 7 Elements makes sure that the story does not have too much content that would in turn bore the reader. Pacing is also important because it determines how slow or fast your story unfolds.


My project plan and storyboard incorporates all 7 Elements of Digital Storytelling. Within my project plan and my storyboard, my dramatic question was "How can academics help me achieve success?" I showed emotional content in my storyboard when I displayed pictures of myself at the University that I had chosen. Through these photos, I am then able to excite my students about going to college and choosing their own school in my project plan. I have personalized by both my project plan and my storyboard by incorporating my voice in my teacher tube video and then using that video to teach in my project plan assignment. I also used within this teacher tube video a children's song to set a mood for the occupation I was attending a University for and also to reach to the children as well. I was careful in my storyboard not to use too many slides because I did not want the students to loose interest in the video. I tried to make my point clearly by using interesting slides and photos. I also made my slides last for around three seconds each so that the video is able to flow nicely.

TEKS and Works Cited for Voice Thread

TEKS:

(14) Economics. The student understands patterns of work and economic activities in the United States. The student is expected to:
(A) analyze how people in different parts of the United States earn a
living, past and present

Works Cited:


Clip Art Graphics. 26 March 2009

United States Department of Labor. Feb. 2009. Bueau of Labor Statistics. 26 March 2009

Choose a Career for Future Success!

How Can Internet Tools Help Me in the Classroom?

Technology gets bigger and broader as each year passes, thus I cannot stress enough how important it is to help our students learn how to use so many available resources! Tools such as VoiceThread, Slideshow, and SlideCasts are helpful and innovative for teacher's use in the classroom.


In my essential question, I ask my students what steps need to be taken in their lives in order to achieve success in our world today. This essential question is then followed by three unit questions. In the third unit question I ask my students what occupation they would choose in order to achieve success. Using this one question, I can then create a VoiceThread that illustrates that essential question, and makes it fun and interactive for the students as well. I would then show several pictures of different jobs as I narrate what I expect my students to perform at the end of the VoiceThread. In the VoiceThread, I also have links that correspond with each occupation that explain what the occupation is, and the occupations annual salary. With these links, the students will choose one occupation and explain how and why that occupation will help them be successful in their future world. Here is an outline of the project in an ideal format. VoiceThread: Technology-
Integrated Plan


In my future classroom, I hope to do similar projects that peaks my students interest. I may even have my students create their own VoiceThread for future presentations in the classroom. I really believe that students could get creative and find that they enjoy the new tool available. Many times students get tired of the same method of learning, and some students learn better when they teach themselves. Using VoiceThread, Slideshow, and SlideCast would give these students to learn how they learn best. Instead of a teacher constantly telling them how to do something, it could be that reading the material, comprehending it, and then performing the task given will help students truly learn because of the hands on experience that this opportunity brings. Of course, I strongly believe that this type of learning is not for everyone, but it can be useful in my future classroom.

Theories of Digital Storytelling

Place based digital storytelling is an interesting theory to explore and can be used often in the class room. In Brenda Dyck's article, she explains that an Alchemist, according to Annette Moser-Wellman, are those who use other people's ideas and thoughts that they have shared with others and apply those thoughts to new ideas and fun activities. The author of this article lets us know that this is exactly what teachers do. Teachers can go to conferences, converse among themselves, or even listen in on their students for new ideas and creative ways of learning. With place based storytelling, you could incorporate your ideas into an interactive learning experience for students.




Instead of students using their imagination only, the internet is a new tool that students can use now to help them get a better understanding of what they are learning. Dyck gives an example of Google earth being used by a teacher to bring different classic novel settings to life. To cut down on all that internet search time to find what you are looking for, why not incorporate all the information into one place based learning digital storytelling slide show? All teachers have to do is incorporate photos and narrate through text or speaking to instruct their students about how to use this presentation for learning purposes. Easy right? I think it is a perfect and compact way to incorporate learning with modern technology.