Digital Storytelling: Getting Started

A Step-By-Step Approach to Creating a Digital Story from Material Found On the Web

PART ONE: Define, Collect, Decide

1. Select a topic for your digital story.
2. Create a folder on the desktop where you can store the materials you find.
3. Search for image resources for your story, including: pictures, drawings, photographs, maps, charts, etc. - Save these resources in your folder.
4. Try to locate audio resources such as music, speeches, interviews, and sound effects. - Save these resources in your folder.
5. Try to find informational content, which might come from web sites, word processed documents, or PowerPoint slides. - Save these resources in your folder.
6. Begin thinking of the purpose of your story. Are you trying to inform, convince, provoke, question?

PART TWO: Select, Import, Create

1. Select the images you would like to use for your digital story.
2. Select the audio you would like to use for your digital story.
3. Select the content and text you would like to use for your digital story.
4. Import images into Photo Story.
5. Import audio into Photo Story.
6. Modify number of images and/or image order, if necessary.

PART THREE: Decide, Write, Record, Finalize

1. Decide on the purpose and point of view of your digital story.
2. Write a script that will be used as narration in your digital story AND provides the purpose and point of view you have chosen.
3. Use a computer microphone and record the narration of your script.
4. Import the narration into Photo Story.
5. Finalize your digital story by saving it as a Windows Media Video (.wmv) file.

PART FOUR: Demonstrate, Evaluate, Replicate

1. Show your digital story to your colleagues.
2. Gather feedback about how the story could be improved, expanded, and used in your classroom.
3. Teach a colleague how to create their own digital story.
4. Congratulate yourself for a job well done!