Tell Stories Digitally

What is Digital Storytelling?

According to Wikipedia, digital storytelling refers to a short form of digital media production that allows everyday people to share aspects of their life story.

The 'media' aspect may include the following:

• full-motion video with sound;
• animation; 
• stills; and
• audio only

You can even use 'non - physical forms' of media that exists as electronic files:

• paintings or photographs on paper;
• sounds stored on tape or disc; and
• movies stored on film

I have included some other examples for collecting images:

• drawing characters and setting manually or digitally;
• using existing pictures through magazines or online images; and
• taking pictures with cell/smartphone or digital camera

What online programs or software are available for free?

1. Microsoft Photostory 3-- This free software lets you bring your photos to life with music, audio, text, and image altering features.
2. Microsoft Movie Maker-- Another free downloadable software that let's you turn your PC/camera made movies and photos into a movie
3. Microsoft PowerPoint-- This program comes with Microsoft Office and you can use its 'animation' features to create an animated story.
4. This list is not an exhaustive one, but should be a good start for you!

Below is 10 minute YouTube video to teach you how to crate a digital story using PowerPoint-- Digital Storytelling: Animated PowerPoint Tutorial.

How do I create and teach a basic story structure to children?

What are some useful pre-writing tips?

 

Hopefully, this post has provided you with the basics of digital storytelling, including the free tools available to help you and young boys share stories!