Digital Storytelling Bootcamp: Digital Storytelling Bootcamp: Learning the Basics of Using Digital Photos, Audio and Video as a Precursor to Incorporating Multimodal Assignments in the Classroom Presenter: Jennifer Sias, Associate Professor

Facilitator: Jennifer Sias, Associate Professor and Director of Research, Information Literacy & Instructional Services (University Libraries) Abstract: Multi-modal compositions and multi-genre assignments are being embraced in higher education by faculty who are open to students demonstrating their knowledge, understanding and mastery of concepts through multiple literacies. Many students flourish when they have opportunities to express themselves not only in the written form but also through the visual arts, audio and video and are capable of producing persuasive and moving works, including public service announcements, podcasts, vodcasts (video podcasts) and digital stories. While many students of this generation seem adept in using (or at least have some familiarity with) various forms of technology to produce these types of assignments, professors who may not have a working knowledge of all things video, audio, etc. may be reluctant to incorporate digital storytelling and other multi-modal assignments in their courses. This workshop will be designed to give participants hands-on experience in taking digital photographs, recording digital audio and shooting digital video in teams to produce mini digital stories. Professor Sias will then demonstrate how to import participants’ digital photos, audio and video for basic editing using widely available audio and video editing software. This is a two-part workshop; participants for this session must also register for Part II on Wednesday, 8:45-10:45 (Workshop 5B).

Agenda Day One – 1015 Introduction and Discussion What is a multimodal composition? What is a digital story? How can digital stories and multimodal compositions be used in the classroom as alternative assignments? How might multimodal assignments and/or digital stories be assessed? What basic equipment is needed to produce a digital story? Creating and Gathering Content for Your Digital Story Divide into groups Distribute equipment Learn how to operate equipment Determine story approach Shoot video/collect artifacts, record

Agenda Day Two Editing, recording voice-overs, producing Organizing and Storyboarding your content Import video, audio, etc. to computer Editing Record narration if needed Produce Digital Story Group Presentations Reflections

What is a multimodal composition? Multimodal – multiple modes, methods or types Multimodal composition – a composition or project involving multiple types of communication (written, audio, video, visual imagery, etc.) Related terminology: multigenre, multimedia, digital storytelling

What is a digital story? A first-person narrative told with digital media (The Center for Digital Storytelling) A digital story is one told with the aid of any kind of digital device or software. Pictures/still images used to tell a story AudioVideoGraphics/slides/annotations

Grandma Johnson Introduction to her digital story

PSA ish Homeless cats who need … homes!

Aaron’s video One of Dr. Cynthia Selfe’s students

How can digital stories and multimodal compositions be used in the classroom as alternative assignments? In place of a research paper In addition to a research paper In combination with a research paper (perhaps a “shorter” research paper combined with a digital story)

Assessment Rubrics See PSA Assignment Rubrics and other materials provided by Dr. Cynthia Selfe:

Basic Equipment Computer and software for editing PC – Windows Movie Maker Mac – iMovie, Final Cut Pro Audio - Audacity Digital camera and/or digital video camera Voice/audio Digital Voice Recorder Microphone connected to computer Scanner If you have print photos or a print image, you might want to use a scanner to scan and upload images Storage – hard drive or portable hard drive or USB for storage of your “story ingredients” and for the final production

Creating and Gathering Content for Your Digital Story Divide into teams Team One - Drinko Team Two - Old Main Team – Memorial Student Center Team – Huntington, attractions & things to do nearby Distribute equipment Learn how to operate equipment Determine story approach

Time: A simple story By Anne Davis, Kanawha County school teacher and participant in the Marshall University Writing Project’s 2009 Summer Institute

One last example Ian Nolte

Go forth and Shoot video/collect artifacts, & record!

Bibliography Alexander, Brian and Alan Levine. EDUCAUSE Review, vol. 43, no. 6 (November/December 2008). Harrington, Richard. A Teacher’s Guide to Digital Media in the Classroom. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, James R. Squire Office of Policy Research. Writing in a Changing World: A Policy Research Brief. National Council of Teachers of English. September 2008: Selfe, Cynthia. Multimodal Compositions. 3 rd Annual Charles Lloyd Writing Symposium. Spring Writing Across the Curriculum. Marshall University Multimodal Composition: Resources for Teachers. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Pres, Inc., “The Movement of Air, the Breath of Meaning: Aurality and Multimodal Composing.” College Composition and Communication 60.4 (2009).

Helpful websites: (For rubrics, activities and lesson plans you could modify) (Best value = FlipUltraHD $199. High Def and 8GB storage) (You can order these online or buy at Best Buy and no doubt other places locally) (WesternDigital and other external hard drives) Sites for hosting finished videos/movies: (Example: