Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is a powerful combination of the spoken word and electronic media. In terms of format, digital storytelling could incorporate graphics, audio, and/or animation to get a message across. The audience for this form of storytelling is quite large as it would be available via the Internet. In essence, digital storytelling puts a new spin on something quite old – storytelling. I think that it empowers people to recount tales in a medium that they are comfortable using (i.e. digital). At first I thought that podcasting and digital storytelling were one in the same. Digital storytelling is defined as the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling (www.umass.edu, 2008). Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights (www.umass.edu, 2008). Podcasting could be the means of delivering a digital story to an intended audience.

The following web site has some good points that highlight the major elements of digital storytelling:
· Point of View: "... the goal of digital storytelling is to allow a writer to experience the power of personal expression. Therefore, students' digital stories need to be constructed from their own experience andunderstanding. Using the first-person pronoun "I" rather than the more distant third-person point of view is essential."
· A Dramatic Question: "A story that holds the attention of the audience has a dramatic question that is resolved by the end of the story. This characteristic distinguishes the digital story from a travelogue. Narratives that lead the reader to become invested typically pursue a compelling question that evokes interest and commitment."
· Emotional Content: "The most effective digital stories evoke an emotion from the audience. We often see laughter, tears, and expressions of pleasure from the audience when digital stories are screened. This can be tremendously rewarding to student writers, validating the effort and investment they havemade."
· The Gift of your Voice: "The pitch, inflection, and timbre of the storyteller's voice convey meaningand intent in a very personal way. This has proven to be one of the most essential elements that contribute to the effectiveness of a digital story. There is no substitute for using your own voice to tell your story."
· The Power of the Soundtrack: "Properly employed music can enhance and underscore the accompanying story, adding complexity and depth to the narrative."
· Economy: "Modern digital editors offer a plethora of special effects and transitions. It can betempting to replicate the visual onslaught of music videos on MTV. We have found that the effective digital story uses only a few images, a few words, and even fewer special effects to clearly andpowerfully communicate intended meaning."
· Pacing: "Monotonous refers to an unvaried inflection and pace. The word has become synonymous with boring because an unvaried pace will not hold the audience's attention. For student writers, pacing means pulling back or racing forward when the story calls for it, as opposed to when the time limit approaches."

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