Using History to Create Digital Stories

What is a digital story?

Digital stories are engaging and interactive. They are used to tell a story digitally, often with visuals and audio. Typically, they are three to five minutes in length.

Incorporating technology into the classroom allows students to participate in an interactive environment which promotes creativity, communication, and collaboration. A number of students enjoy watching YouTube videos, many which are student created. There is a great deal of pride associated with publishing ones work so using digital stories in the classroom has the potential to significantly motivate struggling readers and writers. Through the following lessons, students will be given the opportunity to explore the world of digital storytelling for an authentic audience, while practicing critical thinking and literacy skills. Moreover, understanding their family history will help students understand themselves and their culture. Students are introduced to digital storytelling as they go through the process of researching their family history and inquiry into the historical time period from their family member/s life. Once students have gathered the appropriate information and family and history photographs for their inquiry project, they will use a plot diagram and storyboard to plan the sequence of events. Students will also write a script. Historical topics should focus on the Great Depression and how it effected their family members, World War II and Japanese Internment, Women's Rights, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam Era.