Digital Storytelling

Photo by film production students

The first time when I encountered the concept of digital storytelling is in one of the courses for my Master degree of American literature. That professor not only let us discuss about the novels but also the different versions of film adaptations of the novels. He believes that these film adaptations are the different literature critiques. By watching these films, audience can see how the film makers understand this novel. The films are the digital versions of literature critiques. The professor told us as we enter into the technology age, using digital to express our opinion is a tendency.

I do agree with him about the digital turning happened both in people's daily life and also in different academic fields like literature, education, science etc. Actually, nowadays there are more and more people starting using digital telling way to express themselves. In China, many well-made digital storytelling works are very popular on internet. People are expressing themselves through those humorous and insightful digital stories. For educators, digital storytelling will be a different and useful way for education. "Digital stories let students express themselves not only with their own words but also in their own voices, fostering a sense of individuality and of “owning” their creations" (7 things you should know about digital storytelling, p.2). Beside learning knowledge, the more important purpose of education is help student know what they can do, let them express themselves, make them fully develop their critically thinking and creative ability. And also its purpose is to make student uniquely different instead of universally the same. Digital storytelling is an perfect tool for students to gain a deeper understanding of the topic. It provides a way for students to express themselves and helps them find their own identity through the process of making the digital story.

As a language teacher, I would love to use this digital storytelling tool in my future teaching. Language learning includes learning different aspects of language skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing. Making a digital story is a project that can help my students practice their integrative ability of a language. More importantly, it helps students gain the language sense which is very important for language learners while doing it. For example, I will ask my students to make digital stories on different topics we learn. This assignment will serve as a reinforcement for students and help them become more familiar with the language they learn.

Don't use tech because it is there!

The name of the post on which I commented is Better 'the Five Ws' than 'Because it's there' in the blog named Blog-efl. I am interested in it because it raises a very important issue of using technology in one's classroom. I think it is good for us learners to think about questions like when do we need to use technology in teaching, why do we need to use it, will it be beneficial for us to use it. That's what the author talks about. There are people who use tech in their class only because it is there. Instead, the author argued that teachers need to make it clear when they present ideas for using technology rather than falling into the trap of 'because it is there'.

Also the author provides two ways to help teachers make it clear why they need technology. One is Sue's check-list and the other is five Ws.  

Sue's list. 

Teachers can also justify their using of technology by asking questions including: "1. Why use the technology? 2. Who is the technology best for? 3. What is the technology best used for? 4. Where should it be used? 5. When should the technology be used? 6. How should the technology be used?" (blog-efl)

I think these questions are helpful for teachers to examine their motivation to use technology in their teaching. Using these questions can ensure that teachers won't use technology for technology's sake and make the teaching more beneficial for students. 

Be Aware of Our Digital Learners!

I have to commit that I am startled by those numbers listed in both videos. It's like you know that there is something going on, but you don't have a clear picture of what is going on here. These two videos provide a clear picture of what now is happening to our younger generation. 

These two videos provide us educators a clear view of what is going on in the field of education by using multimedia. They visualize one of the big problems in 21st century education. By inviting the kids holding those questions and numbers, these video makes me realize that the kids today are different from their predecessors. The lives of people are changed, so are our kids. The way of life of nowadays teachers is greatly different from that of their students. These videos warn us that we cannot teach students as the way our teacher taught us. There is a need of change in our education because of these changes. If we cannot understand the current situation of our kids, if we cannot realize there is an urgent need of changing in teaching, then we cannot engage our students and we cannot fit in the 21st century's way of education. Not only should teachers understand this, but the government official should also realize this and support teachers financially and politically.