Storytelling can be deeply personal, digital expression of oneself or experience. It communicates to an audience an event, problem or complex situation. Stories are engaging, represent people and evoke emotions. Technology has changed how stories are told. In the past stories were told orally, then through paper and pencil, mass production through a print press and now a story can be shared instantly with the entire world through Web 2.0.

Storytelling provides a voice to those who may not have otherwise had one. Anyone with an internet connection is able to write a story and share it with the world. Digital storytelling provides a medium to share differing points of view, emotions and justification of oneself. Web 2.0 builds social capacity by allowing many points of view to be shared and considered.

Social media, wikis and blogs are common mediums used to communicate stories. Technology allows for images, video and audio to support and enhance a story. Students can document their educational learning journey using an ePortfolio. Programs such as Brightspace Portfolio or Google Drive are great tools for students to keep artifacts of their work. Students can organize photos, videos and documents by naming and tagging work. Students can quickly and easily review previous examples of their work, reflect on their learning or reference prior knowledge. Eportfolio’s can be shared with parents to promote parent engagement and school and home communication. The student has control of what they choose to document and save, they are responsible for their own learning story.

Digital storytelling is a great tool to engage students in literacy. Students learn how to use cameras, video editing equipment, green screen and photograph. These skills support students development of transliteracy skills. Students who are shy to present to the whole class, have an opportunity to create a digital story to share their learning. Students have control over what the audience sees and hears. Students are producers and actors in their learning environment while creating digital stories; this fosters a student centred classroom culture.

I have used WeVideo, Stop Motion Animation, DoInk and Book Creator to support students creating digital literacy in the classroom. My experience has been that most students are engaged in using these platforms to share their learning. I have facilitated lessons where students create book trailers using green screen technology and reenacted an Indigenous Legend using clay and stop motion animation techniques. With both these lessons students worked collaboratively with a group of students where each student had a specific role they needed to fulfill. My favourite digital storytelling moments are when students share their work; they are so proud and enjoy watching their own production, they critique their own work and others.