Quote: “Through creating narratives, students develop the power of their own voices and become heroes of their own learning stories “(Ohler).
Reaction: In his article, “The World of Digital Storytelling,” Jason Ohler gives good examples on how digital storytelling can be used in the classroom. More importantly, he shares how the story should be developed, which means students will need to consider the following: 1) Who is the audience? 2) What is the message to be conveyed? 3) What action or response is desired? He suggests that the students utilize digital mapping by creating a storyboard.
Having a background in marketing, it is easy for me to see the value mapping. Storyboards have long been used in advertising and in developing marketing campaigns. It aids the creator in looking objectively at the story to determine if the words and pictures convey what is intended. I can see where students would need to exercise critical thinking skills that entail planning, research, design, execution and evaluation. Creating a digital story may also teach students how to look at media more critically in their everyday lives, enabling them to discern between truth, untruth and anything suspect
I once heard a pastor tell the story of “Horton Hears a Who (Suess)” in a Sunday sermon. He concluded with, “We have a responsibility to be a voice for those that cannot be heard.” For the students, digital storytelling is a great way to express thoughts, feelings and emotions in story form, giving them the “power of their own voices” as Ohler described.
Ohler, Jason. "The World of Digital Storytelling." Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Jan. (2006): 44-47. Web. 18 Sept. 2011. http://www.jasonohler.com/pdfs/digitalStorytellingArticle1-2006.pdf.
Galaxy, Dancing. "Horton Hears A Who." You Tube. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYJQpiHJKrE&feature=related>.
Points to you for referencing Horton! The value of personal voice and self-learning is not what I think it should be, or even what it used to be. However, when students are given the chance to experience what they can do with their own individuality(digital storytelling), the power of self-expression may continue to grow. I liked your connection with marketing, by the way :)
ReplyDeleteCritical Media skills should be a part of any curriculum. Evaluating and analyzing new literacies is a skill that must exist to show allow our students to have a voice, participate in society and make informed decisions. It's great that you are relating activities in the course to your background in marketing. Creative and concise response to the journal entry.
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