Module 5 Discussion: Digital Storytelling

High quality content and intention to deliver, entertain, and or educate viewer or readers is what a good story starts with and technology, if used properly can help see that to intention to fruition. If orchestrated in well planned manner and executed with expertise and style, digital storytelling can be an effective classroom learning tool. If you have compelling material to be presented it is likely to be more well received by students if it is relevant and interesting in its delivery. To me, those feats can be accomplished and improved upon with creativity and the use of technology. If I were in a history class learning about West Virginia, I would remember more of the content after seeing it presented like in http://hollowdocumentary.com/ by McDowell County Community Initiatives. This was an incredible use of digital storytelling about a broad topic that was focused in on a particular location. Music videos, to me, are an amazing example of how digital storytelling engages viewers by putting visual cues with the lyrics, bringing more meaning to the songs – leaving a more lasting impression. If education were designed in digital storytelling formats across the board, I would be that more students would remember a magnified amount of material. If the material is lackluster in its visual presentation, it is less likely to engage students. There is also always a risk in that students aren’t passionate about or interested in the material itself so it will be additionally difficult to engage them. If instructors spend time and energy to create an engaging story, students will notice. It is imperative their skills are honed and they are well versed in the creation of the story using technology. Is it possible for an instructor to get it right and be successful on their first try?