2009 National Educational Computing Conference, Washington, D.C.

1. Enhancing Historical Biography through Digital Storytelling Christy Keeler, Ph.D. • christy@keelers.com • (702) 577-2331 http://christykeeler.com/AudioDigitalStorytelling.html 2009 National Educational Computing Conference, Washington, D.C.

2. What is digital storytelling? “Digital storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights.” - Digital Storytelling Association

4. Tools of the Trade

5. Available Resources • Joe Lambert’s Center for Digital Storytelling: http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html • Bernard Robin’s Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling: http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/ • Helen Barrett’s Digital Storytelling: http://electronicportfolios.org/digistory/ • Alan Levine’s 50 Web 2.0 Ways to Tell a Story: http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/50+Ways • SITE Screening Room: http://site.aace.org/sitevideo/ • Keeler’s Training Videos: http://keelertrainingvideos.blogspot.com/ • Educational Virtual Museums: http://christykeeler.com/EducationalVirtualMuseums.html

6. Available Technologies • Blogger/Edublogger • Audio Tools • iPods with Voice Recorders • iTunes • Audacity/GarageBand • Visual Tools • PhotoStory/MovieMaker/iMovie • Flickr • Microsoft Word and PowerPoint • Grant Monies • http://donorschoose.org • http://digitalwish.com

7. Process

8. Focus on Standards-Based Historical Narrative • Encourage chronological thinking • Engage in content analysis/interpretation • Seek cause-effect relationships (multiple causation) • Personalize history (fate, beliefs, human interest) • Develop content comprehension (purpose, perspective, artifacts) • Research from Dr. Chad Berry, Maryville College (TN)

9. Include Storytelling Elements • Point of View/Purpose • Emotional Content/Tone • Voice Quality and Inflection • Power of Soundtrack • Pacing (Story and Voice) • Economy of Detail • Accuracy (content, grammar, soundtrack, images) Modified from Dr. Chad Berry, Maryville College (TN)

10. Make It “Real” • Detailed Research • Impeccable Scripting/Recording/Editing • Publish a Product • Ensuring Creativity • Adopt a R-A-F-T Strategy • Role • Audience • Format • Topic • Allow Personification

11. Mock Primary Sources Personification “Civil War Button” by students in Mr. Johnson’s 5th grade class “Civil War Diaries” by Gail Sabbs Book Reviews “KNPR Book Review: America’s Civil War” by Kristi Palen Audio Stories “Day in the Life” Reports/Diaries “Nurse’s Tales” by Verena Bryan, Ashley Keller, and Tracy Moulson

12. Telling Stories through Movies Mini-Documentary Topical Reports “History Remembers” by students at Mabry Middle School “Rhyolite: A Whisper from the Past” by Jeff Hinton

13. Telling Stories: Blogs and More Mock News Reports Mock Journaling http://dowell.typepad.com/harriet_tubman/ http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/98/brady/cjeff.htm Virtual Museums with PowerPoint Flickr Toys “Native American Housing during the Colonial Era” by Monica Modesitt http://bighuge labs.com/ flickr/