Abstract

The online classroom environment can sometimes cause students to feel isolated, both socially and cognitively. Digital storytelling creates a framework that can bring the online classroom to life, energizing social-cognitive dynamisms, and promoting a more authentic sense of community in the virtual teaching and learning space.

During this seminar, presenters will describe how storytelling in online learning facilitates a welcoming space, provides a structured springboard for personal agency empowering students’ thinking and creative expression, and personalizes those expressions to bridge connections that catalyze deep meaningful associations. The plot will thicken when an online teaching faculty member shares anecdotes of digital storytelling, which showcases learners’ coursework as a conduit for authentic opportunities for connections.

Presenters

Associate Lecturer of Creative Writing
College of Humanities
University of Central Florida

Susan Jardaneh is an Associate Lecturer in the English Department in the College of Humanities.  Over the years, Susan has used various creative projects in her classes, especially the use of digital stories and e-Portfolios. Susan has also developed online courses for UCF’s Interdisciplinary Studies’ program that focused on research, experiential learning, and multimedia technologies. Susan served as a Faculty Fellow for the Center for Teaching and Learning (2017) where her focus was on the use of storytelling as a learning tool.

Instructional Designer
Center for Distributed Learning
University of Central Florida

Ashley Salter is an Instructional Designer with the Center for Distributed Learning. She facilitates faculty with the design, development, and delivery of online and mixed-mode courses. Her research interests include professional development for teaching online, application of emerging technologies, like digital storytelling, and the use of open educational resource (OER) materials.

Session Recordings and Supporting Materials

Recording

Streamed Podcast Session

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Presentation Materials

Presentation:

• Storytelling, Amplifying the Human Connection in Online Learning [PDF; 1MB]

Published Articles:

• Alcalá, J. C., Austin, M., Granroth, M., & Hewitt, B. (2016). Online inclusive pedagogy: A call-and-response dialogue on digital storytelling. Education for Information, 32(1), 71-85.
• Baim, S. A. (2015). Digital storytelling: Conveying the essence of a face-to-face lecture in an online learning environment. Journal of Effective Teaching, 15(1), 47.
• Hirumi, A., Sivo, S., & Pounds, K. (2012). Storytelling to enhance teaching and learning: The systematic design, development, and testing of two online courses. International Journal on E-Learning, 11(2), 125-151.
• Lindgren, R., & McDaniel, R. (2012). Transforming online learning through narrative and student agency. Educational Technology & Society, 15(4), 344-355.
• Nam, C. W. (2017). The effects of digital storytelling on student achievement, social presence, and attitude in online collaborative learning environments. Interactive Learning Environments, 25(3), 412-427.

Storytelling Resources:

• Barrett, H. C. (2011, June 3). Digital storytelling. Site contains examples of the uses of digital storytelling and applicable hardware and software.
• Baxter, J. (2015, Spring). Global UCF introduction – Janet Baxter.
• Brunson, R. (2017, February 7). WFTV’s Karla Ray on enterprise reporting.
• Catapano, J. (2017). Storytelling in the classroom as a teaching strategy.
• Educause Learning Initiative. (2007). 7 things you should know about digital storytelling.
• González-Tennant, E., & Lambert, J. (2009). Digital storytelling tips [PDF document].
• Greller, J. (2011, August 1). 64 Sites for digital storytelling tools and information. A repository of technology tools for digital storytelling can be accessed through this site.
• Jakes, D. (2006, December 29). Digital storytelling collection. Find links to articles, examples, tutorials, and resources about the process of digital storytelling, and how to get the most out of this terrific learning experience for students here.
• Kelly, R. (2013). Tips for Humanizing Your Online Course.
• King, M. (2017, Spring). Ms. King’s art room.
• Long, B. (2012-2013). Digital story evaluation rubric [PDF document].
• Matthews-DeNatale, G. (2008). ELI 2008 Digital storytelling tips and resources.
• Montgomery County Public Schools. (2001). 5 E’s lesson planning packet [PDF Handout].
• Morra, S. (2017). A steps to great digital stories [Diagram].
• Ohler, J. (2012, October 28). Story making tools [Web log].
• Savoie, K. (2017, Spring). Lesson plan outline [Concept map].
• Schmidt, N. (2017, March 16). Humanizing online teaching and learning: The quest for authenticity [Web log].
• StoryCenter. (2017). StoryCenter. This website supports individuals and organizations who use storytelling media for their own reflection, educational purposes, and social change.
• UCF What’s Next. (2016). Digital storytelling offers a powerful tool for reflection.
• University of Houston. (2017). Educational uses of digital storytelling. This website provides information describing digital storytelling, example stories, tools, how to create a digital story, educational materials, and more.
• Wise, A. (2017, March 19). Tok plais Aria.
• Wegmann, S. (2009). Digital storytelling. Digital Storytelling Literacy Symposium.

Technology Resources:

• Adobe Spark is a free tool for digital storytelling and ePortfolios. The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) offer occasional Adobe Spark trainings.
• Bubbl.us mind map is a free third-party application for graphically representing ideas and concepts.
• Creately is a free third-party application to make diagramming easy with thousands of templates and examples to create flowcharts, mind maps, Venn diagrams, infographics, Gantt charts and more.
• iMovie for iOS and macOS. Enjoy creating and editing videos.
• Pixton Comic Maker gives students a way to express themselves by creating graphical comics. Found in Webcourses@UCF in “Settings” under the “Apps” tab.
• Storify 2 by livefyre is a free application that provides the tools to create and choreograph social media elements into stories and narratives, allows for collaboration and provides engagement features.
• Toontastic for digital storytelling on your tablet, phone, or Chromebook. Draw, animate, and narrate using 3D cartoons.
• Vimeo is a video sharing site that allowing users to create their own videos and share with others.
• Windows Movie Maker is a free application for creating and editing videos for Apple and Windows users.