Digital Storytelling - The Process Getting started with Digital Storytelling is very easy. You can present students with a simple task and ask them to brainstorm ideas and collaborate with each other on finalizing the ideas they wish to develop. This will engage them in pre-writing and persuasive communication as they convince other members of the group to consider the ideas they have generated. in most cases, the final result will be a collection of many of their ideas all joined into one story. For example, The Best Sandwich I Ever Ate would make for a fun story to tell. Ask students to brainstorm some ideas about their very favorite sandwich...what was it made with? was it served for a special occasion? where were you when you had it? etc. You could actually have each student write this as their own individual story, or you could then have them get together and combine elements of each of their stories to create an entirely new story. You have great flexibility here. When they combine ideas, they could choose a "character" as the narrator, someone like SuperMan, and have him do the speaking. In this way, the ideas of group members are incorporated, but the character no longer is one of the students, thus making it a project in which everyone can take ownership. So, what is the actual process that students would follow? Step 1: Find the Story - Students should select the basic concept and begin the pre-writing phase. They should brainstorm ideas and vocabulary they will want to incorporate into the story. Step 2: Plan the Story - Working collaboratively, students should prepare a StoryBoard - They can use a template and draw simple illustrations for each part in the story. Text should be added to describe what the action will be included in each part. Step 3: Produce the Story - Have students refer back to their storyboard as they gather images, sounds and capture video, if that will be part of the project. Keep in mind that they need to be sure to sequence the content according to the storyboard. During this production phase encourage students to consider the following: a. Have you captured the attention of the viewer? b. Have you clearly illustrated a point of view in the script? c. Is the language selected fresh and vivid? Does it convey your intended meaning? d. Is the voice apparent and appropriate...first person, third person? e. Do the images, sounds and videos support the story? Step 4: Edit the Story - Once students have created their digital story, remember that they need to review it and revise it as necessary. The editing process can be as time-consuming as the production phase, so be sure to allow time for students to engage in this critical step. Encourage them to to play the story checking for elements that might need to be revised, paying close attention to transitions and timing.   Step 5: Publish the Story - Once everything is complete, students may publish the story, depending on the tools used for its creation, and whether or not there is a place for the publication. In some cases, just having a file that can be viewed using QuickTime or Movie Player will be all that is available. If you have access to a server where students may publish their digital stories, you can upload the final products. And if the digital story has been created using an online story editor, they work may have already been publish as a result of the final steps of production. Whatever the case, this step allows students to see their final product and share it with others. Step 6: Reflection - Once the process has been completed, have students reflect on the experience, and elaborate what they might do in the future that could improve the quality of their work. The first digital story is always the hardest, but when you have them reflect on how they can improve, subsequent projects should illustrate deeper understanding and higher quality.