“Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a particular point of view. However, as the name implies, digital stories usually contain some mixture of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. Digital stories can vary in length, but most of the stories used in education typically last between two and ten minutes. The topics that are used in Digital Storytelling range from personal tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one’s own community to the search for life in other corners of the universe, and literally, everything in between.”
“Tell me a fact and I’ll learn.
Tell me a truth and I’ll believe.
But tell me a story & it will live in my heart forever.”
-Indian Proverb
“Digital Storytelling is the modern
expression of the ancient art of storytelling.
Digital stories derive their power
by weaving images, music, narrative
& voice together, thereby giving deep dimension
and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences,
and insights.”
During the fall 2010 semester, Professor Sheri Lullo’s Introduction to the Arts of Asia course created podcasts using images of the pieces held by the Trout Gallery. The images were incorporated into Imovie and a narration was recorded over the video, walking the viewer through the history of each piece. Students took a slightly different approach to the assignment as is apparent when you watch some of the examples below. By incorporating storytelling, imagery, music and sound effects these beautiful examples of Asian art are brought to life.
Instructional & Media Services supports a wide range of video projects in classes from many different disciplines. These projects don’t have to be big and involved to be effective and we work with each Professor to help find what the best level of technology is for their course and project idea. As with most projects, it is best to plan out a time line with smaller assignments due over time to ensure students are on the right track. This usually involves writing a short script or storyboard and also gathering some source material to submit prior to editing the final piece. Most people think of video projects as always using a camera but many projects use only still images that are panned & zoomed across to give the allusion of movement (ala Ken Burns). A narration is then added over the images to create the final video. IMS will set up a time to come into the class to train the students on the technologies needed. This may only be IMovie for a project that is using images instead of actual video. Otherwise, we may train on how to use & checkout our video equipment and how to use the higher level video editing program Final Cut Express. The Media Center is a the physical resource where the students will be able to work to complete their project while getting support from IMS staff.
Training Session Information
Audience: Faculty & Students Type: Instructor Led-Hands on Time 1 – 1 1/2 hours in-class time
Outcomes/Objectives:
Upon completion of this workshop, you will:
Know how to use the software programs IMovie to record & edit video
Have observed a variety of course related video examples.
Know best practices to use when writing script.
Be provided online resources to help you get started finding creative commons audio, video or image files.
Want to know more? Contact mediacenter at dickinson.edu to set up a consultation. You can also get a sneak peek of what we cover in our training by looking over our Training Outline.
Examples
Independent Study
Beautifully Fragile
Composting on Dickinson’s Campus
Threads for Thought
Professor Michael Fratantuono
Global Economy Course
Students were asked to create mini lectures about assigned topics. These videos serve as a supplement to the course as Professor Fratantuono can show these in place of some traditional lectures and promote additional discussion the topics. http://youtu.be/Art6Kw2xN6U
Professor Jim Hoefler-Policy Studies
Policy & Management Senior Seminar students compose DVDs for non-profit organizations in the local community. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQIcK5OGzQ
Professor Sherri Lullo-Asian Art History
Students were each assigned a piece of Asian Art held by the college’s Trout Gallery and used the Ken Burns effect to display images of the piece while telling the story of it’s history. Full list of videos can be seen here http://blogs.dickinson.edu/introartsofasia/files/2010/11/box.mov
Professor Ed Webb-Political Science
Students in his First Year Seminar course “Science Friction~Dystopian Visions”, were able to make a media project to post to the blogs they were maintaining during the semester. This was a great piece that Ellen Kaveevittayakun created. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaGTgFY_7K8 She also does a great job of creating a credits page. This is a perfect example of fair use mashup for education.
Different Style Options
During the fall 2010 semester, Professor Sheri Lullo’s 
