Digital storytelling &
ePortfolios for language
teaching & learning
Research, stories & ideas
Australia, Alaska, Yukon
Dr Debra Hoven
Athabasca University, Canada
ADFI
University of Southern Queensland
October 31 2014
My story today …
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Why I am here … & why are you …?
What is digital storytelling?
Pedagogical roles, uses, purposes
Bilingual, bicultural & immersion programs
Language recovery & revitalization
Some examples
Technology options: what you can do
How to & with what?
Where am I living now?
http://www.embassyworld.com/maps/Maps_Of_
Canada/images/canada_3000.jpg
So what is digital
storytelling?
• Your ideas?
So what is digital
storytelling? 1…/2
– My ideas?
• “traditional” stories recorded &/or
illustrated in digital format
• Sharing stories of life experiences or special
events through digital media
• Online logs, journals &/or stories (can be
static or interactive) … or …
So what is digital
storytelling? 2 …/2
…
• Biographical or autobiographical narrations
through or supported by digital media
• Collaborative group or community projects
about experiences shared or of shared
concern or interest
• Personal &/or emotional reactions to &/or
narrations of critical educational, personal
or family experiences/events
So what is digital
storytelling?
– Can be …
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Reflective
Sharing
Presentation
Showcase
Multimedia
Experiential
Experimental
E-portfolio
…. & etc
Digital storytelling: Purposes
1 …/2
– Literacy: L1, L2 … L# + multimedia or
digital literacy
– (re-)connecting with heritage/family
cultures, traditions & values/beliefs
– Inter-generational communication
– Means of expression
– Model for other learners/ family
members
– Avenue of creativity &/or …
Digital storytelling: Purposes
2 …/2
…
– Fun & motivating
– Make mainstream curriculum more
meaningful
– Help learners find their own L2 “voice”
– Link L1 persona, confidence &
communication skills with L2 or L#
– Collaborative (inter-generational)
creation & sharing of knowledge
– Teaching/learning technical skills …
etc
Digital storytelling:
diverse but similar
ideas
• Some example definitions
– Michael Williams: Australian
aboriginal man
– Maniituq Thompson: Inuit woman
An Australian Aboriginal Perspective …
On digital storytelling in aboriginal education
An Inuit Perspective …
… on digital storytelling in bilingual education in Nunavut …
Language for real
purposes & audience 1/ …2
• Writing/scripting
– Grammar, vocabulary, sentence
structure, genre, register, audience,
interest
• Communicating a message
• Organizing ideas
Language for real
purposes & audience 2/ …2
• Low to high language proficiency
• Choice of use of multiple media
• Choice of mode
• Learner-created content  personally
meaningful & motivating
• Range of contexts & applications
across curriculum
Language & culture recovery &
revitalization
• Some examples … (see handout)
– Alaska:
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Russian Mission School, W. Alaska
Yup’ik immersion school, Bethel, W. Alaska
Marshall School
Student blogs & wikis
Alaska Native Knowledge Network
Russian Mission School
• Example of student-created
culturally-embedded digital
story … (Powerpoint)
Outside is our school
http://www.whatkidscando.org/specialcolle
ctions/student_research_action/russian%
20mission/index.html
Ayaprun Elitnaurvik
Yup’ik immersion school (video)
http://www.nwrel.org/nwedu/0903/charter.php
Marshall School
http://youthwiki.wikispaces.com/Marshall+School%
2C+AK (wiki)
Nenana Project (Digital stories & songs)
Suzi’s blog
http://www.lksd.org/arc/index.html
Kyle’s story
Language & culture recovery &
revitalization
• Some Australian examples …
– Ara Irititja Project
www.irititja.com/the_archive/index.htm
l
– Waltja Project
www.waltja.org.au/
Ngapartji Ngapartji Project
www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au/one/in
dex.html
www.nothingrhymeswithngapartji.com/
Ara Irititja Project
http://www.irititja.com/the_archive/index.html
Waltja Project
http://www.waltja.org.au/default/home.html
Some how-to tools
PHOTOS
Flickr
Picasa
(Windows) Photo Manager
iPhoto (Mac only)
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
VIDEO
(Windows) MovieMaker
iMovie (Mac)
Adobe Premier (commercial)
YouTube
Teacher Tube
Vconversion/ Instructables
KeepVid
Audio
Audacity (both platforms)
VoiceThread
Garage Band (Mac)
Digital storytelling
Powerpoint
(Windows) Photo Story
Helen Barrett’s sites
Vimeo
Tokbox
Storify
Ngapartji Ngapartji Project
… says it all …
Thank you!!
• Questions?
• Comments?

debrah@athabascau.ca