Digital Storytelling Project (Some Reflections)

This week I had to submit my class project on Digital Storytelling. With most technology-based activity digital storytelling has its own challenges but some really cools ways for making abstract ideas and concepts very concrete and real.

I learned some good lessons in doing this projects that I think are worth reflecting upon as we strive to become ambassadors of Technology in Education.

Firstly, I learned that one secret for success in technology use is SEEING FRUSTRATIONS AS MOMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCOVER NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS. I had to go through a lot of frustrations in completing this projects but like Dr, Schmidt said in class today, I learned through those opportune moments that seemed like failures. Indeed, we learn better when do not give up but look for solutions to problems. The joy and relieve that comes from not giving up but making all the efforts to let technology respond to your particular need is beyond measure.

Secondly, I have come to see digital storytelling as a very effective way to construct identity though writing. As I told my English 101 class today, each learner construct an identity through literacy though many teachers and learners may not pay any conscious attention to what sort of identity they are developing though literacy. As I did my story, it moved from being just a narrative of what had happened in my life to a concrete picture of who I was, events and people who have shaped my life and so what and who I am today. I identified my philosophy of life though the digital storytelling in a way that all those verbal narratives of the same events in the past have never revealed to me. I strongly recommend this technology-based approach to teaching narratives to all teachers and practitioners who believe that literacy in general and writing in particular should help the learner come to understand who she/he is.

Colleagues, I would like to know any ideas that you have about how we can help our students construct their identity though technology-based literacy.