How can we incorporate digital storytelling in teaching

What is digital storytelling? According to 7 things you should know about digital storytelling, "digital storytelling is the practice of combining narrative digital content, including images, sound, and video, to create a short movie, typically with a strong emotional component." Compared with traditional storytelling, digital storytelling usually contains some "mixture of computer-based images, texts, recorded- audio narration, video clip and/ or music."(The Educational use of Digital Storytelling). There are seven elements in creating a digital storytelling:

1. Point of View 
 What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author?

2. A Dramatic Question 

 A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be answered by the end of the story.

3. Emotional Content 

 Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way and connects the audience to the story.

4. The Gift of Your Voice

 A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context.

5. The Power of the Soundtrack

 Music or other sounds that support and embellish the story.

6. Economy

 Using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer

7. Pacing 

 The rhythm of the story and how slowly or quickly it progresses. 

 (The Educational use of Digital Storytelling)

How can we incorporate digital storytelling in our teaching? From the perspectives of teacher, digital storytelling is an effective instructional tool. For example, teachers can create a digital story for themselves to introduce the topic that they are going to talk. By so doing, students' attention might be focused on the "new" method of introduction, they might also want to learn how to do it. Teacher can also use digital storytelling method as to present the topic and enhance students' memory of the topic. For students who are visual-learners might learn better through this way. What is the benefit for students who are using digital storytelling? From the scenario that 7 Things You Should Know Digital Storytelling, David learn new skills in carrying out his digital storytelling project. We can see that, if we assign students to create a digital storytelling, they might pick up skills like David did. Students might also enhance their communication skills or ability in the process of participating a digital storytelling project. When the project is post online, like in Facebook or Twitter, even Youtube, students might get comments from different people, which ensure an opportunity for them to share ideas with others.