Using Digital Storytelling in the Classroom

When asked about digital storytelling, many teachers aren't sure where to begin. The first thing some teachers think is, “that sounds like a lot of work” and they are right. Digital storytelling is a lot of work, but the work is put into the hands of the student. As teachers, we have to prepare our students and teach them how to work with the technology and different platforms, but the way it is used is up to the students. Digital storytelling is something that can be used in any subject in your classroom. It is most accessible in the literacy classroom, but it does not stop there. In the math classroom, teachers can use it to tell the story of how to perform an equation and explain why. The creation can then be shared with the students, but it is most effective when the students are in charge of the technology. It has often been said that the quickest way to learn how to do something is to teach someone else how to. If we give students an iPad with a storytelling app, they can draw representations and narrate as they solve the equation. If a teacher were to asses a student on that final product, they would see every step the student took and have an explanation as to why they made certain decisions. It eliminates the “what were they thinking??” when grading a traditional assessment. Digital storytelling enhances students ability to create reports or presentations. Students can take videos and pictures of a scientific experiment and create a story with them describing what occurred and why things occurred. The documentation of their findings is all in their presentation while being supported with picture and video evidence. Book reports and informational essays become obsolete at the hands of digital storytelling. Students can video themselves retelling events and add backgrounds and graphics to make the book or historical event come to life. There are even apps where students can take a picture of a historical figure and make it talk to tell the story of his/her life. Giving students the opportunity to use technology to retell a concept gives it a real-world application. It gives them the opportunity to find out the “why” to so many concepts that a paper and pencil assessment does not. It allows students to take ownership of their work and to be proud of what they create. As they represent events or topics with graphics they are making connections to the information that is more lasting than memorize and regurgitate. Digital storytelling is such an effective way to make student’s learning meaningful.


This picture displays different storytelling apps that you can use in your classroom.


This picture shows that when you use digital storytelling you are incorporating Student Engagement, Technology, Deep Learning, and Project Based Learning.