I think that using digital storytelling is a great idea to use in an elementary school classroom. Digital storytelling provides teachers with a new way to introduce themselves, supplement lessons, and engage in creative writing stories.
The first example of how you might use digital storytelling is introducing yourself to your students. I have always introduced myself in every practicum and student teaching placement I've been. I usually have done this by sharing a Me-Bag, a bag full of 4-5 items that best describe me. Digital storytelling is a great update to the Me-Bag. Instead of bringing the bag, you can play your story. It shouldn't be limited to just teacher use, I also believe that this would be a great tool to use in the classroom for students to introduce themselves. Students can create a quick clip that they believe best describes them. They can take their own photographs and draw pictures, choose from my library of appropriate music, and record their own voice. I bet that students would love watching each others stories!
The second example is supplementing lessons with digital storytelling. I currently teach 5th grade math and I believe that a digital storytelling tool could help struggling students understand the concepts. Recording the basic steps of a new concept alongside visuals that represent the concept, will definitely help students extend their learning. Some students may not grasp the concept the first day you teach it. Students can take home the CD of the digital story and watch the clip that should help them understand! They would have the power to pause, rewind, and repeat the clip as many times as they want until they better understand.
The third example of use of digital storytelling is during reading/writing blocks. Students can work in groups to create a storyline about a given topic. Students plan and write the story together. They can then record the story and add media to it. Students then can share their stories with the class. This would allow students to get creative with how their story will play out. They will practice their reading and writing skills as well as their technology skills.
Now, to some, digital storytelling might look like a difficult task. However, it's really quite simple! You need to first figure out what story you want to tell. Then you add a mixture of medias to record the story. Finally, you produce it on your computer using a program like iMovie or GoAnimate. Because digital storytelling allows you to add audio recordings, videos, pictures, and music, it can be pretty easy to violate copyright laws. You should still to Creative Commons images or your own personal collection. Besides that, I think that digital storytelling can be used in any grade. This is a great tool for all teachers!
For more information, check out:
http://ruxer.weebly.com/digital-storytelling.html
