Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Digital Storytelling from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Choosing a Topic and Defining your Purposes

Week 1 introduces you to the basics of digital storytelling. You will explore the fundamental elements of a good digital story and review examples used by educators across a varied curriculum. By the end of this week, you will be able to choose a topic and define the purpose of a digital story you will create for your classroom or informal learning setting. You may access the course materials for this week from the links below, or from the navigation bar on the left side of this page.

WEEK 2: Writing an Effective Script and Creating a Storyboard

In Week 2, we will focus on scriptwriting, storyboarding, and Creative Commons. We will begin by discussing the steps in developing and writing a script for the digital story you will create in this course. We will explore the basic elements of the script, such as introduction, character development, tension and resolution that are necessary in developing a script. Then, we will also examine the importance of selecting appropriate images and creating a storyboard. In Week 2, you will learn not only the functions and the sequences of a storyboard, but also the most useful ways to locate images, such as using photos taken with a digital camera and images downloaded from the internet based on the size, quality, type and usage rights. A step-by-step approach will be used to illustrate how these images can support your own script as a part of creating a digital story. By the end of this week, you will begin to understand the important steps and elements of scriptwriting, and be able to envision your story's script in a visually interesting storyboard.

WEEK 3

In week 3, we will focus on how you can record audio narration that will be used in your digital story. We will examine some of the most common types of microphones and recording devices that you can use to record the script you wrote. We will also demonstrate how to record and edit your digital audio files using Audacity, free audio recording software available for Windows and Macintosh computers. Of course, if you prefer, you may use any audio editing program to record and/or edit your narration. The important thing to remember is that recording your own voice is a key component of the digital storytelling process since it explains the information you are presenting and provides a personal touch to your story. We feel strongly that this part of the process should not be overlooked. This week, we will also explore how you can find and download appropriate music that supports the theme of your story. We will focus on music that is in the public domain or is free of copyright restrictions so that it can be used in your digital story legally and at no cost.

WEEK 4

In Week 4, we will explore how to assemble all of the elements (text, images, narration, and if you choose, music and/or video clips) to create the final version of your digital story and publish it online. You may use any video editing software program of your choice, and you may find a list of software options, Web 2.0 tools, and mobile apps, on the Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling website (http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu).

Week 5

In Week 5, you will reflect on what you have learned in this course, how you dealt with each component of the digital storytelling process and discuss the challenges you faced, as well as how you dealt with these challenges in creating your digital story. In addition, you will have the option of revising the final version of your digital story based on the feedback you received. Please note that you may choose to use the version of your digital story that you submitted in the previous week as the final version. If this is the case, you do not need to revise your digital story, but you should still complete the Final Digital Story Assessment as one of this week’s assignments.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills to teach and students effectively with digital storytelling

Designed to provide fundamental knowledge for creating digital stories

Taught by educators who are experienced and knowledgeable in digital storytelling

Hands-on learning opportunity to practice and improve storytelling

Eligible for Continuing Professional Education units which may be beneficial for teachers in certain cases

Reviews summary

Digital storytelling tools for educators

According to students, this course on digital storytelling provides engaging assignments and helpful tools. Learners say they gain valuable skills, especially those who were initially hesitant about creating digital stories. Students say that this course has a positive impact on their career and helps them feel comfortable creating and sharing digital stories.

The course provides resources and tools to help learners.

Learners who complete the course may experience positive career benefits.

"It helped me a lot in my career progression."

Some learners were initially unsure about digital storytelling but found the course helpful.

"Initially, I thought creating a digital story is not my cup of tea, but this course has changed my perception."

Students enjoy the engaging assignments.

"I enjoyed this course..."

"It helped me a lot in my career progression..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Digital Storytelling with these activities:

Review Educational Theory in Digital Storytelling

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Reviewing educational theory in digital storytelling will help you understand the underlying principles and best practices for effective digital storytelling in educational contexts.

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Read articles and book chapters on educational theory and digital storytelling.
Attend webinars or workshops on the topic.
Discuss educational theory with peers or instructors.

Review Digital Storytelling Fundamentals

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Reviewing the basics of digital storytelling will help you build a strong foundation for creating engaging and effective digital stories in this course.

Browse courses on Digital Storytelling

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Read the course syllabus and introduction materials.
Watch online tutorials or videos on digital storytelling.
Explore different digital storytelling platforms and tools.

Explore Digital Storytelling Techniques

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Following guided tutorials will provide you with hands-on experience in applying digital storytelling techniques, enhancing your ability to create compelling digital stories.

Browse courses on Storyboarding

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Follow online tutorials on storyboarding and digital editing.
Experiment with different digital storytelling techniques in practice.
Seek feedback on your digital storytelling techniques from peers or instructors.

Four other activities

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Develop a Digital Storyboard

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Creating a digital storyboard will help you visualize and plan the structure and flow of your digital story, ensuring a cohesive and engaging narrative.

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Identify the key elements and sequence of your story.
Create a visual representation of your storyboard using sketches or digital tools.
Seek feedback on your storyboard and make necessary revisions.

Attend Digital Storytelling Workshops

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Attending digital storytelling workshops will provide you with opportunities to engage with experts, learn new techniques, and further develop your skills in a collaborative environment.

Browse courses on Interactive Learning

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Research and identify digital storytelling workshops that align with your interests.
Attend the workshops and actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Connect with other attendees and share knowledge and experiences.

Share and Critique Digital Stories

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Sharing and critiquing digital stories with peers will provide you with valuable feedback and perspectives, helping you refine and improve your storytelling skills.

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Participate in peer review sessions to share and discuss your digital stories.
Provide constructive feedback to your peers, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.
Incorporate feedback into your digital stories to enhance their quality and impact.

Produce a Final Digital Story

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Producing a final digital story will allow you to apply all the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the course, resulting in a tangible representation of your learning.

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Gather and organize your materials, including visuals, audio, and text.
Use digital storytelling software to assemble your digital story.
Refine and finalize your digital story, ensuring it meets the course requirements and objectives.

Career center

Learners who complete Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Digital Storytelling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers are responsible for planning, developing, and evaluating educational programs and materials. As a Curriculum Developer, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for learners. You would be responsible for understanding the learning objectives, identifying appropriate resources, and developing engaging activities that promote learning. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers play a vital role in designing, developing, and delivering educational materials. As an Instructional Designer, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for learners. You would be responsible for understanding the learning objectives, identifying appropriate resources, and developing engaging activities that promote learning. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants provide guidance and support to schools and other educational organizations. As an Educational Consultant, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to help educators develop and implement effective digital storytelling strategies in their classrooms. You would be responsible for assessing the needs of educators, providing training, and developing resources to support the use of digital storytelling in the classroom. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Educational Media Specialist

Educational Media Specialists are responsible for managing and integrating technology into the curriculum. As an Educational Media Specialist, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to help teachers develop and implement effective digital storytelling strategies in their classrooms. You would be responsible for assessing the needs of teachers, providing training, and developing resources to support the use of digital storytelling in the classroom. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Instructional Coach

Instructional Coaches provide support and guidance to teachers to help them improve their teaching practices. As an Instructional Coach, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to help teachers develop and implement effective digital storytelling strategies in their classrooms. You would be responsible for assessing the needs of teachers, providing training, and developing resources to support the use of digital storytelling in the classroom. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Instructional Technologist

Instructional Technologists are responsible for integrating technology into the curriculum and providing support to teachers and students. As an Instructional Technologist, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to help teachers develop and implement effective digital storytelling strategies in their classrooms. You would be responsible for assessing the needs of teachers, providing training, and developing resources to support the use of digital storytelling in the classroom. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Teacher

Teachers are responsible for planning, delivering, and assessing instruction to students. As a Teacher, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for your students. You would be responsible for understanding the learning objectives, identifying appropriate resources, and developing engaging activities that promote learning. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Learning Designer

Learning Designers are responsible for designing, developing, and delivering learning experiences. As a Learning Designer, you would use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for learners. You would be responsible for understanding the learning objectives, identifying appropriate resources, and developing engaging activities that promote learning. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Storytelling Consultant

Storytelling Consultants help organizations and individuals develop and tell their stories in a compelling way. As a Storytelling Consultant, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to help your clients create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences. You would be responsible for understanding the needs of your clients, developing a storytelling strategy, and providing guidance on how to implement that strategy. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Education Researcher

Education Researchers conduct research on teaching and learning to improve educational practices. As an Education Researcher, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to investigate the effectiveness of digital storytelling in the classroom. You would be responsible for designing and conducting research studies, analyzing data, and disseminating your findings. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Media Producer

Media Producers are responsible for planning, producing, and distributing media content. As a Media Producer, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for a variety of audiences. You would be responsible for understanding the needs of your audience, developing a production plan, and managing the production process. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Communications Specialist

Communications Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies for organizations. As a Communications Specialist, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for a variety of audiences. You would be responsible for understanding the needs of your audience, developing a communication plan, and managing the communication process. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Writer

Writers are responsible for creating written content for a variety of purposes. As a Writer, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for a variety of audiences. You would be responsible for developing story ideas, writing scripts, and editing your work. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Videographer

Videographers are responsible for capturing and editing video footage. As a Videographer, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences for a variety of audiences. You would be responsible for understanding the needs of your audience, developing a shooting plan, and editing the footage into a cohesive story. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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Editor

Editors are responsible for reviewing, editing, and revising written content. As an Editor, you could use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to help your clients create engaging and effective digital storytelling experiences. You would be responsible for reviewing written content, identifying areas for improvement, and making suggestions for revisions. This course would provide you with the foundation and tools you need to succeed in this role.

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