Storytelling has always been a significant part of history, but the means through which the stories have been told has evolved with each civilization. From the oral histories presented by bards in ancient courts, to the works of scribes during the Renaissance, to newspapers, CNN, and now the Internet, personal narrative has been used to communicate the events of the past. Digital media now combines tradition with technology and allows students to tell stories through voice, text, images, audio, and video.
Digital stories allow students to take a linear series of events and turn them into a multidimensional experience. It encourages them to communicate, collaborate, and research as well as to infuse media into the process. A plethora of tools and apps exists to create these projects, and all of them enable students to gain a deeper understanding of history as they explore the most effective way to retell it.
Digital Storytelling can be integrated in any number of ways:
Create a virtual tour of a country or historical place.
Create a public service announcement on an important local or world issue.
Simulate an interview of a historical character.
Simulate a debate on an historical topic.
Create a presentation based on images of local artefacts and architecture.
Just as a good storyteller makes you feel as if you are there with their voice and mannerisms, iBooks author allows students to create a world in a book and unveil their imaginations to others.
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