2009 National Educational Computing Conference, Washington, D.C. Enhancing Historical Biography through Digital Storytelling Christy Keeler, Ph.D. (702)

What is digital storytelling? “Digital storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. 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.” - Digital Storytelling Association “Digital storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. 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.” - Digital Storytelling Association

RoleAudienceFormatTopic Lincoln’s PenMuseum VisitorsMuseum Headset AudioFamous Lincoln Writings A BulletThe GunPoemFeelings about a Vietnam Battle A Female SlaveHer ChildrenDiary EntryTravels on the Underground Railroad Merriweather LewisPeople of St. LouisNewspaper ArticleExperiences with the Corps of Discovery Broadcast JournalistTV News ViewersVideo News FeatureFalling of the Berlin Wall Bushnell’s Submarine21st Century ScientistsBookThe Lives and Deaths of the Crew Members Patty Reed’s DollFuture ChildrenWritten NarrativeThe Donner Party Experience ComedianLive AudienceDanceHistory of 20th Century Dance

Tools of the Trade

Available Resources Joe Lambert’s Center for Digital Storytelling: Bernard Robin’s Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling: Helen Barrett’s Digital Storytelling: Alan Levine’s 50 Web 2.0 Ways to Tell a Story: SITE Screening Room: Keeler’s Training Videos: Educational Virtual Museums: Joe Lambert’s Center for Digital Storytelling: Bernard Robin’s Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling: Helen Barrett’s Digital Storytelling: Alan Levine’s 50 Web 2.0 Ways to Tell a Story: SITE Screening Room: Keeler’s Training Videos: Educational Virtual Museums:

Available Technologies Blogger/Edublogger Audio Tools iPods with Voice Recorders iTunes Audacity/GarageBand Visual Tools PhotoStory/MovieMaker/iMovie Flickr Microsoft Word and PowerPoint Grant Monies Blogger/Edublogger Audio Tools iPods with Voice Recorders iTunes Audacity/GarageBand Visual Tools PhotoStory/MovieMaker/iMovie Flickr Microsoft Word and PowerPoint Grant Monies

Process

Focus on Standards-Based Historical Narrative Encourage chronological thinking Engage in content analysis/interpretation Seek cause-effect relationships (multiple causation) Personalize history (fate, beliefs, human interest) Develop content comprehension (purpose, perspective, artifacts) Research Encourage chronological thinking Engage in content analysis/interpretation Seek cause-effect relationships (multiple causation) Personalize history (fate, beliefs, human interest) Develop content comprehension (purpose, perspective, artifacts) Research from Dr. Chad Berry, Maryville College (TN)

Include Storytelling Elements Point of View/Purpose Emotional Content/Tone Voice Quality and Inflection Power of Soundtrack Pacing (Story and Voice) Economy of Detail Accuracy (content, grammar, soundtrack, images) Point of View/Purpose Emotional Content/Tone Voice Quality and Inflection Power of Soundtrack Pacing (Story and Voice) Economy of Detail Accuracy (content, grammar, soundtrack, images) Modified from Dr. Chad Berry, Maryville College (TN)

Make It “Real” Detailed Research Impeccable Scripting/Recording/Editing Publish a Product Ensuring Creativity Adopt a R-A-F-T Strategy Role Audience Format Topic Allow Personification Detailed Research Impeccable Scripting/Recording/Editing Publish a Product Ensuring Creativity Adopt a R-A-F-T Strategy Role Audience Format Topic Allow Personification

“Civil War Diaries” by Gail Sabbs Mock Primary Sources “Civil War Button” by students in Mr. Johnson’s 5th grade class Personification Audio Stories “Nurse’s Tales” by Verena Bryan, Ashley Keller, and Tracy Moulson “Day in the Life” Reports/Diaries “KNPR Book Review: America’s Civil War” by Kristi Palen Book Reviews

“Rhyolite: A Whisper from the Past” by Jeff Hinton Mini-Documentary Telling Stories through Movies “History Remembers” by students at Mabry Middle School Topical Reports

pad.com/harriet_ tubman/ Mock Journaling Mock Journaling Telling Stories: Blogs and More gov/learn/lessons/ 98/brady/cjeff.htm Mock News Reports Mock News Reports “Native American Housing during the Colonial Era” by Monica Modesitt Virtual Museums with PowerPoint Virtual Museums with PowerPoint Flickr Toys labs.com/ flickr/