Digital Storytelling in the Classroom

Digital Storytelling can be implemented in the classroom using several techniques and strategies. There are a number of uses for utilizing these computer-based skills, and University of Houston's website is very helpful in demonstrating some of these new and intriguing ideas. For starters, there are "7 Elements of Digital Storytelling":
     1. Point of View
     2. A Dramatic Question
     3. Emotional Content
     4. The Gift of Your Voice
     5. The Power of the Soundtrack
     6. Economy
     7. Pacing
These 7 elements help to ensure the maximum benefits of using Digital Storytelling in the classroom and serve as a guideline of the formation. When using digital stories in the class, lessons can be taught by either the teacher making it and presenting it to the class, or having students create their own stories, and learn and develop knew knowledge about a topic as they go. Each way is a creative tool to teach students new information in an innovative and engaging way, rather than standing at the front of the classroom lecturing. Having students create their own stories would likely generate the interest and motivation for the "digital generation" students in classrooms today. This tool would also help students improve communication skills because they must learn to organize their ideas, ask questions, express opinions and construct narratives, in order to develop and working and beneficial digital story. Research has proven that using multimedia in teaching helps students retain new information and aids in better comprehension of difficult material. Digital Storytelling is just one simple way to add multimedia in the classroom.