Digital Storytelling

This course covers the following topics:

 In the workshop, participants will learn about the process of

creating digital stories, including:

 Finding the story

 Writing the story: drafting, storyboarding

 Finding images and audio

 Recording audio
 Using Windows Movie Maker
 Publishing and evaluating students’ digital stories
 Practice with Windows Movie Maker

November 2008
OTAN activities are funded by contract CN088109 from the Adult Education Office, Secondary, Postsecondary,
and Adult Leadership Division, California Department of Education, with funds provided through Federal P.L., 105-
220, Section 223. However, the content does not necessarily reflect the position of that department or the U.S.
Department of Education
OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling

Handout Conventions

First let’s cover a few things about this instruction handout. Since each section builds on the
previous section, we recommend you complete each section before moving to the next one. In
each section, you will be guided through step-by-step instructions.

Instructions that you should follow will look like this:

()1Instructions for you to follow will look like this (use the “outlined numbered” format under
Format>Bullets & Numbering. Choose the “Outline” tab.)

If we want you to type something, we will set it in bold like this:

()1Type POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS in the box

If you are to press a key on your keyboard, the key will be in brackets like this:

()2Press [CTRL]

Unless otherwise stated, all “clicks” will be with the left mouse button.

Whenever we say “Place your cursor…” we want you to put your cursor in the place you need
it to be and click so it blinks there.

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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling

What are digital stories?

• Digital stories are multi-media projects that combine images and/or video with audio
recordings (voice-over narration) and/or music and sound effects and can be used
across the curriculum.
• Some common types of digital stories: personal stories of recovery, loss,
accomplishment, immigration; adventure stories; tribute/memorial stories; character
stories; work stories; stories about a place; love stories; discovery stories (adapted from
the following source: http://www.storycenter.org/memvoice/pages/cookbook.html)

Why have students do digital story projects?

• Digital stories have several educational benefits. They provide opportunties for
students to practice and enhance their skills in writing, viusal and media literacy, and
technology.
• Digital story projects are motivational and engaging, sometimes therapeutic
• The projects give students chances to express themselves creatively (telling their own
stories, creating or selecting images and music).
• Students learn 21st Century Skills: time management, self-direction,
teamwork/collaboration, problem solving. (adapted from The Art of Digital Storytelling
ebook http://www.ebookhost.net/tldmc2/ebook.html)

Ten Steps of Making Digital Stories

Step 1. Choose a topic

• It is helpful for students to understand what digital stories are by exploring online digital
stories. Instructors can find and show in class a variety of different types.
– Some sites with digital stories online are the following:
• Stories for Change http://storiesforchange.net/
• National Storytelling Network http://www.storynet.org/
• DigiTales http://www.digitales.us/
• Power of Word Digital Stories http://www.davarts.org/art_storiesB.html
• KQED Digital Storytelling Initiative http://www.dsi.kqed.org/
• One World Journeys http://www.oneworldjourneys.com/
• Center for Digital Storytelling http://www.storycenter.org/
• Creative Narrations Projects http://www.creativenarrations.net/site/projects.html
• The Art of Digital Storytelling ebook http://www.ebookhost.net/tldmc2/ebook.html

• Instructors can assign a topic or let students choose their own. The best digital stories
are typically written in 1st person (I, me) point of view.
– For an extensive list of potential topics, see
http://mccdigitalstory.blogspot.com/2007/12/ideas-for-digital-stories.html or
http://snipurl.com/digistoryideas

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Step 2. Write a script

• First, instructors may need to point out the differences between a paragraph (at lower
language levels) or essay (for adult / higher level students) and a script (which is meant
to be read aloud)
• If possible, show a digital story with its transcribed script.
• Most scripts are only one page typed double-spaced, and most digital stories are only a
maximum of three minutes long when narrated (it is a good idea to set these limitations
in order to keep the project manageable and ensure students finish within the term, but
of course it will depend on the course and time available).
• Teach the writing process: provide feedback on content first, and then mechanics
(grammar, spelling, punctuation) in subsequent drafts of thre script.
• To save time, it is often helpful to use a checklist (student self-checklist or for instructor
feedback checklist) or rubric or peer review (for higher levels), especially for
commenting on the initial drafts of the script. Sample script feedback checklist for peer
or instructor review:

Script Feedback:
1. The point of the story
• What is the problem/conflict/tension?
• How does the writer feel about this story? Why is this story important to him / her?
• What part do you like?
• Is there anything you don’t understand?
• What is not clear to you?
• What do you want to know more about?
2. Story Flow / Organization
• Does the story have a beginning?
• Does it have a middle?
• Does it have an end?
• Does it move along?
3. Economy
• Is the story 1 – 1/12 pages?
• What can be said with images instead of with words?
4. Visuals: What are 3 – 5 images that come to mind as you read the script?
5. Audio / Soundtrack: What music or sound effects came to mind as you read the
script?

Step 3. Practice read-alouds (with instructor, in pairs, or in small groups)

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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling
• The instructor should provide feedback on pronunciation, intonation, stress, volume, the
need for pauses, etc.
• The instructor should stress that the “art” of storytelling is to use one’s voice effectively.
This can be accomplished by showing or reading good and bad samples (for example,
reading a script about an emotional topic in a monotone voice and then re-reading it
with pauses, stress, volume, pitch that suits the treatment of the topic).

Step 4. Make a storyboard

• A storyboard is an initial plan for the digital story that helps digital storytellers save time
when searching for / creating images and soundtrack (audio sound effects, music) and
helps to visualize the story elements. At this point, instructors may want to discuss
symbolism and how certain images can symbolize the emotions, moods, and
atmospheres in stories. For example, an image of a dark, cloudy day can symbolize
sadness or gloom.
• See sample storyboard form downloaded during workshop (modified from the original,
courtesy of Penny Pearson, OTAN).

Step 5. Record voice-over narration

• Programs such as Windows Movie Maker and PhotoStory have built-in recording
functions, as does PowerPoint.
• Audacity (www.audacity.sourcforege.net) is a free, useful option that can be
downloaded. This is an example of a program that should be used if the soundtrack will
be complex (with voice-over combined with multiple music and sound effects tracks).
The tracks can be edited, saved, and exported into a single audio file (.wav) that can be
inserted into PowerPoint slides and imported into programs often used for digital
storytelling, such as Movie Maker.
– Audacity manuals and online video tutorials:
 Audacity Manual: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/
 Audacity Tutorial: http://www.edhsonline.org/other/audacity/
 Teacher Tube Videos Related to Audacity and Sound Recording/Editing:
http://www.teachertube.com/search_result.php?search_id=audacity

• If Audacity or a similar audio editing program is used, music and sound effects can be
added in. See handout for how to rip music from a CD. Sources for music and sound
effects downloads (many are free and copyright free):

– A1 Free Sound Effects http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com/

– Absolute Sound Effects Archive http://www.grsites.com/sounds/
– ArtistServer http://www.artistserver.com/music.cfm
– CC Hits http://cchits.ning.com/hits/
– ccMixter http://ccmixter.org/
– ccMixter http://www.ccmixter.org/
– Findsounds http://www.findsounds.com/
– Foxtunes http://www.foxtunes.com/
– Free Loops http://free-loops.com/free-loops.php
– Free Music http://freemusic.com/

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– Free Music Project http://freemusic.freeculture.org/
– Free Sound Project http://www.freesound.org/searchText.php
– Freeplay Music http://freeplaymusic.com/
– Funky Remixes http://funkyremixes.com/
– iBeat http://ibeat.org/
– incompetech http://incompetech.com/
– Internet Archive http://www.archive.org/details/audio
– Jamendo http://www.jamendo.com/
– JamStudio - make your own music online http://www.jamstudio.com/Studio/index.htm
– Kitzu www.kitzu.org
– Many .wav Sound Files http://www.externalharddrive.com/waves/waves.html
– Mp3.com http://www.mp3.com/free-music/free-mp3s
– Mutopia http://www.ibiblio.org/mutopia
– Open Music Archive http://www.openmusicarchive.org/index.php
– Opsound http://www.opsound.org/opsound.html
– Partners in Rhyme Free Sound Effects http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/pir/PIRsfx.shtml
– Partners in Rhyme http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/
– Podsafe Audio http://www.podsafeaudio.com/
– Public Domain Music http://www.pdinfo.com/
– Sample Net http://www.samplenet.co.uk/
– SimplytheBest Free Sounds http://simplythebest.net/sounds/
– Soundsnap http://www.soundsnap.com/
– Soungle http://www.soungle.com/
– TheFreeSite http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds/Free_WAVs/
– WavCentral http://freeplaymusic.com/
– WebPlaces www.webplaces.com/html/sounds.htm

Step 6. Compile images

• Students should be encouraged to use original artwork (paintings, drawings, sketches).

• If possible, students can take digital photos and download to a computer.
– Images can be edited with photo editing programs, such as the following:
• Photoshop, if available and if digital storytellers have experience using the
program.
• PowerPoint has very basic tools for editing (cropping, increasing
brightness) images and adding effects (see 2007 version)
• Picasa is a free Google download for photo editing.To download Picasa,
go to http://picasa.google.com/download/. See the Picasa video tutorial
can be viewed at http://www.ewiza.com/misc/picasa-video-tutorial.html
• There are several online photo editing and altering (special effects) sites
with no download required, but registration is required with some sites.
Some of these are the following:
– Adobe Photoshop Express
https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html
– Be Funky http://www.befunky.com/
– FotoFlexer http://fotoflexer.com/
– Graphita http://www.graphita.com/

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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling
– Phixr http://www.phixr.com/
– Picnik http://www.picnik.com/
– Pixenate http://pixenate.com/
• Students can scan old (not digital) photos.
• Or the Internet can be used to find images.
– Sources (many are free and copyright free; if not designated as copyright-free,
students can use images only for classroom presentation – permission should be
obtained when using copyright images in digital stories that will be posted online,
in order to avoid copyright infringement):
• Animation Station http://animationstation.com/
• Art Images for College Teaching (Royalty Free) http://www.arthist.umn.edu/aict/html/
• Background City http://backgroundcity.com/
• Copyrightfreephotos.com http://www.copyrightfreephotos.com/
• Flickr http://www.flickr.com/
• Flickr Storm http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/
• Free Digital Photos http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
• Free Graphics http://freegraphics.com/
• Free Range Stock Photos http://www.freerangestock.com/
• FreeFoto http://www.freefoto.com/
• FreeStockPhotos http://freestockphotos.com/
• Fresher Image http://fresherimage.com/
• Google Images http://images.google.com/
• More Free Photos http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/
• Morguefile http://www.morguefile.com
• Nations Illustrated http://www.nationsillustrated.com/
• Open Photo Project http://openphoto.net/
• PD Photo http://pdphoto.org/
• Photogen free photos http://www.photogen.com/
• Pics4Learning http://www.pics4learning.com/
• Pixel Perfect Digital http://www.pixelperfectdigital.com/free_stock_photos/
• Public Domain Photos http://www.public-domain-photos.com/
• Public Domain Pictures http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/
• Smithsonian Images
http://smithsonianimages.si.edu/siphoto/siphoto.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=home
• Snap-shot.com http://snap-shot.com/
• stock.xchnge free stock photos http://www.sxc.hu/
• The Royalty Free Clip Art Collection For Foreign/Second Language Instruction
http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/JapanProj/FLClipart/
• The University of Victoria Teaching Clipart Gallery http://hcmc.uvic.ca/clipart/
• World Images http://worldart.sjsu.edu/
• YotoPhoto http://yotophoto.com/

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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling

Step 7. Use a computer program to digitize the project

• There are several free programs for making digital stories. The following is a list of
options:

– PowerPoint presentation with slides narrated (choose the record narration option)
– Windows Movie Maker (comes standard on PCs with Windows operating systems)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx
– Microsoft PhotoStory (download for PCs)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/PhotoStory/default.mspx
– Apple iLife (includes iMovie and GarageBand, comes standard on Apple computers)
http://www.apple.com/ilife/
– Online tools such as Jumpcut http://www.jumpcut.com/ , VoiceThread
http://voicethread.com/ , Bubbleshare slideshows http://www.bubbleshare.com/ , Slide
http://www.slide.com/ , Bubblr http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/, Glogster
http://www.glogster.com/ , and many more. See CogDogRoo Wiki on “50+ Web 2.0
Ways to Tell a Story” at http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/50+Ways for a list of numerous
tools for making digital stories.

• Some other options (not free):

– Adobe Premiere http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/index.html

– Final Cut Pro (Apple) http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/
– Pinnacle Studio (PCs)
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1501&Langue_ID=7

Step 8. Add titles, credits, special effects, and transitions (as the program used allows)
and synchronize audio with images

* In Windows Movie Maker as well as other video editing software programs, this is the
most time-consuming step, if audio is imported.

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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling

Step 9. View “rough cuts” and provide feedback

• Use a checklist or form to provide feedback as a whole class, for peer feedback, or one-
on-one instructor to student feedback. Sample:

Team Rough-Cut Feedback Form

1. Does the story grab and keep your attention? If so, how?

2. What is the message or theme of the story?

3. What is the best part of the story? (the story itself, images, voice-over, soundtrack,
special effects such as transitions and video effects)

4. What is something that could be better or that is missing? Be specific about images,
colors, titles and credits, effects, voice-over, sound track…

• Feedback sessions should be followed with further revisions, editing.

Step 10: Final saving, rendering, publishing (burning digital story to a CD or DVD or
posting online with students’ permission), viewing, celebrating (voting for best digital
stories in such categories as best technical, best story, best overall digital story, etc.),
and evaluating projects

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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling

• Sample rubric for evaluating student digital story projects:

Rubric for Digital Story Assessment

Digital Story 1 point 2 points 3 points

Element
Story
Relevance Not an interesting story Not completely clear Compelling, dramatic
or incomplete story or how the story is story
not student’s own story; personal or has
confusing importance to the
storyteller; some parts
unclear
Vocabulary Much repetition of words Some repetition of Appropriate and varied
or use of inappropriate words and some vocabulary
vocabulary inappropriate
vocabulary
Length Too short or too long Just a little shorter or Treatment of the topic is
longer than it should be the right length
Revision / editing No or few revisions; Some revisions; some Story revised; errors in
story shows no change errors corrected; story grammar, spelling were
or improvement from improved somewhat corrected; story
first draft improved significantly
Visuals
Images Choice and number of Choice and number of Images effectively
images is inadequate or images is adequate but support and enhance
inappropriate; images of some images are the story
too poor quality inappropriate, of poor
quality, or do not
enhance the story
Titles and Credits Two or more mistakes Most titles and credits All titles and credits are
or serious spelling and are accurate but there is accurate, appropriate,
grammar errors one mistake and enhance the digital
story
Audio
Voice-Over Narration: Does not use voice Uses voice somewhat Effective use of voicing
Use of voice (pacing, effectively to tell the well to tell the story; enhances the story;
intonation, stress) story; pacing too fast or pacing OK pacing enhances the
too slow tone of the story
Voice-Over Narration: Frequent pronunciation A few pronunciation Good pronunciation and
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OTAN Online Training Digital Storytelling
errors that affect errors, some hesitations fluent speaking, no
Fluency, pronunciation comprehension; influent that make it sound as if hesitations
speaking reading
Soundtrack No soundtrack or Soundtrack OK but may Soundtrack reflects the
completely not fit the story story and enhances it
inappropriate
Production
Transitions, effects, No transitions or special A few transitions and Mix and transitions and
synchronizing audio and effects; most of the story special effects; images special effects enhance
images/titles is text; images and and audio out of synch the story; images and
audio out of synch; story in some places audio meld together
not finished seamlessly

Points: _______/ 30 points possible = ______ %

Comments:

• If digital stories are burned to a CD, they can be viewed on most computers. If they are
burned to a DVD, they may also be viewed on televisions when played in a DVD player.
Another option for publishing and sharing students’ work is to upload the digital stories
to a class blog or website. There are also many sites that allow free video uploading.
Some allow registered users to choose private or publish postings. Of course, students
should fill out release forms if the instructor uploads their work to the Internet.

– This is a list of some of the most popular (free) video sharing sites:

Blip.tv http://blip.tv/
Crackle http://crackle.com/index.aspx
Daily Motion http://www.dailymotion.com
DropShots http://www.dropshots.com/
Freevlog http://www.freevlog.org/index.php/category/tutorial/ (set up a video blog)
Google Video http://video.google.com/
Internet Archive http://www.archive.org
MetaTube http://www.metatube.com/
Odeo http://odeo.com
OurMedia http://www.ourmedia.com
Photobucket http://photobucket.com/
Revver http://revver.com/
School tube http://www.schooltube.com/
TeacherTube http://www.teachertube.com/
TinyPic http://tinypic.com/
Viddler http://www.viddler.com/
Yahoo! Video http://video.yahoo.com/
YouTube http://www.schooltube.com/
ZippyVideos http://www.zippyvideos.com/

– If PowerPoint is used for digital stories, PowerPoint slideshows can be uploaded

to the web for sharing with these sites (registration required). With these sites,
users are provided an embed (html) code, so that the PowerPoint slideshow can
be embedded on a class Web site or blog.

AuthorStream http://www.authorstream.com/
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Myplick http://www.myplick.com/
Scribd http://www.scribd.com/

– PowerPoint slideshows can also be uploaded to YouTube. See the following

tutorials:
Video tutorial on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUcZG38_hoI
Slideshare video tutorial http://www.slideshare.net/gaochuhan/how-to-upload-
powerpoint-to-you-tube/

Homework Assignment
Due: in one week
• Create a short (1 – 2 minutes max.) digital story about any topic of your choice (a self
introduction – see sample at http://snipurl.com/selfintro -- your job, your school, your
students, a hobby/interest)
• Use Windows Movie Maker or any other program listed on the handout
• Email the digital story to me as an attachment, or upload to a class or personal blog or
Web page, or upload to a video sharing site and email the URL to
kreyes@miracosta.edu. In your email message, please indicate if you will need a
certificate for this workshop.

Other Useful Resources:

PhotoStory Tutorial
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/tips/firststory.mspx

Kodak Photo Tips

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=39&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=856

Microsoft Digital Photography Tips

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/composition.mspx

Photography Tips
http://www.photographytips.com/

Windows Movie Maker Tutorials

Windows Tutorial http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/default.mspx
Atomic Learning Tutorials http://www.atomiclearning.com/moviemaker2

Adobe Premiere Elements Tutorials http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/premiere/pro/ ,

http://www.techtutorials.info/adpremier.html , http://www.wrigleyvideo.com/videotutorial/tutorials.htm

Everyone Has a Story to Tell http://visalia.k12.ca.us/teachers/mblanton/techcoach/photostory/

Techlearning article on Digital Storytelling

http://techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=196605451&page=1

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The Art of Digital Storytelling ebook http://www.ebookhost.net/tldmc2/ebook.html

Edutupia Article: “How to Use Digital Storytelling in the Classroom” http://www.edutopia.org/use-digital-

storytelling-classroom

Tech Head Digital Storytelling Links http://tech-head.com/dstory.htm

Digital Storytelling Resources for Teachers http://www.techteachers.com/digitalstorytelling.htm

Electronic Portfolios (many useful links) http://electronicportfolios.org/digistory/

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