CATESOL State Conference Pasadena, California April 2009 Presenters: Ruth Gay, Elizabeth Clarke, Kristi Reyes – MiraCosta College

Agenda / Objectives In the workshop, participants will learn about the process of creating digital stories: Finding the story Writing the story: drafting, storyboarding Finding images and audio Recording audio Using Windows Movie Maker Publishing and evaluating students’ digital stories By the end of the session, participants will create their own short digital story.

Resources PowerPoint, complete Movie Maker guide, and other ESL digital storytelling resources online at

What are digital stories? Digital stories are multi-media projects that combine images and/or video with audio recordings (voice- over narration) and/or music and sound effects and can be used across the curriculum. Types of digital stories: personal stories of recovery, loss, accomplishment; adventure stories; tribute/memorial stories; character stories; work stories; stories about a place; love stories; discovery stories (adapted from the following source:

Buts… My students are low level! How about a simple self introduction? An alphabet book? Daily activities? Autobiography? My students don’t know know how to use computers! Demo step by step! Don’t go on to the next step until everyone is ready. Pair up or arrange small groups that have one student who does have some confidence using computers Ask the most techie student to be your assistant They will learn from you! Now is the time for them to start learning We have only one computer! Team projects

Why have students do digital story projects? Educational benefits: provide opportunities for students to practice and enhance their skills in writing, visual and media literacy, and technology. Digital story projects are motivational and engaging, sometimes therapeutic Projects give students chances to express themselves creatively (telling their own stories, creating or selecting images and music). Application of 21 st Century Skills: time management, self-direction, teamwork/collaboration, problem solving. (adapted from The Art of Digital Storytelling ebook

The process of making digital stories: Step 1 1. Choose a topic First, it is helpful for students to explore digital stories online – show a variety of different types For sites with digital stories online, see handout Assign a topic or let students choose their own Best digital stories are written in 1 st person (I, me) For an extensive list of topics, see (URL posted on wiki)

The process of making digital stories: Step 2 2. Write a script Point out the differences between a paragraph (at lower levels) or essay and a script (which is meant to be read aloud) If possible show a digital story with its script Most scripts only 1 page typed double-spaced and only max. of 3 minutes (to keep project manageable and ensure students finish within the term) Writing process: provide feedback on content first, then mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation) in subsequent drafts Use a checklist (self-checklist or for instructor feedback) or rubric or peer review (for higher levels). See handout on the wiki.wiki

The process of making digital stories: Step 3 3. Practice read-alouds With instructor, in pairs, or in small groups Provide feedback on pronunciation, intonation, stress, volume, the need for pauses, etc. Stress that the “art” of storytelling is to use one’s voice effectively Provide good and bad examples

The process of making digital stories: Step 4 4. Make a storyboard A plan for the digital story Helps save time when searching for / creating images and soundtrack (audio sound effects, music) See sample (courtesy of Penny Pearson, OTAN)

The process of making digital stories: Step 5 5. Record voice-over narration and mix soundtrack (with sound effects, music) Audacity ( is a free, good option – with manuals and online video tutorials (see handout), but programs such as Windows Movie Maker and PhotoStory have built-in recording functions; PowerPoint slides can be narrated, toohttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/ See handout for online sources for music and sound effects and handout on ripping music from a CD

The process of making digital stories: Step 6 6. Compile images Students can use original artwork (scanned) Take digital photos Edit with Photoshop, Picasa, even PowerPoint (see handout for links to online editing sites, too) Scan old photos or find images on the internet Internet sources: see handout Warning: if posting digital stories online, be sure that photos are (at the minimum) credited to original source or (better) copyright-free

The process of making digital stories: Step 7 7. Use a computer program to do the project Options (see handout): PowerPoint Movie Maker PhotoStory Adobe Premiere Online tools (e.g., Jaycut.com) iMovie (Apple) Windows Movie Maker:

The process of making digital stories: Step 8 8. Add titles, credits, special effects, and transitions (as the program used allows) and synchronize audio with images * In Windows Movie Maker, as well as many other video editing software programs, this is the most time- consuming step if audio is imported rather than recorded live in the program.

The process of making digital stories: Step 9 9. View “rough cuts” and provide feedback Whole class, peer, or one-on-one instructor to student Use a checklist or form (see handout for sample) Follow up with final revisions / editing

The process of making digital stories: Step Final saving, rendering, publishing (burning digital story to a CD or DVD or posting online with students’ permission), viewing, celebrating, and evaluating projects Sample rubric for evaluating student digital story projects in handout

Hands-on: Make a short digital story Make a folder on the desktop Go to to download pictureshttp://tinyurl.com/esldigistory Write a script about the pictures Use Windows Movie Maker: Add a title Add effects and transitions Narrate the timeline Save project Render movie

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