ESL Digital
Storytelling
CATESOL State Conference
Pasadena, California
April 2009
Presenters:
Ruth Gay rgay@miracosta.edu
Elizabeth Clarke eclarke@miracosta.edu
Kristi Reyes kreyes@miracosta.edu
In the workshop, participants will learn about the process of
creating digital stories, including:
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Finding the story
Writing the story: drafting, storyboarding
Finding images and audio
Recording audio
Using W indows Movie Maker
Publishing and evaluating students’ digital stories
Practice with W indows Movie Maker
April 2009
CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
What are digital stories?
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Digital stories are multi-media projects that combine images and/or video with audio
recordings (voice-over narration) and/or music and sound effects and can be used
across the curriculum.
Some common types of digital stories: personal stories of recovery, loss,
accomplishment, immigration; adventure stories; tribute/memorial stories; character
stories; work stories; stories about a place; love stories; discovery stories (adapted from
the following source: http://www.storycenter.org/memvoice/pages/cookbook.html)
Why have students do digital story projects?
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Digital stories have several educational benefits. They provide opportunties for
students to practice and enhance their skills in writing, viusal and media literacy, and
technology.
Digital story projects are motivational and engaging, sometimes therapeutic
The projects give students chances to express themselves creatively (telling their own
stories, creating or selecting images and music).
Students learn 21st Century Skills: time management, self-direction,
teamwork/collaboration, problem solving. (adapted from The Art of Digital Storytelling
ebook http://www.ebookhost.net/tldmc2/ebook.html)
Ten Steps of Making Digital Stories
Step 1. Choose a topic
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It is helpful for students to understand what digital stories are by exploring online digital
stories. Instructors can find and show in class a variety of different types.
– Some sites with digital stories online are the following:
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Stories for Change http://storiesforchange.net/
National Storytelling Network http://www.storynet.org/
DigiTales http://www.digitales.us/
Power of Word Digital Stories http://www.davarts.org/art_storiesB.html
KQED Digital Storytelling Initiative http://www.dsi.kqed.org/
One World Journeys http://www.oneworldjourneys.com/
Center for Digital Storytelling http://www.storycenter.org/
Creative Narrations Projects http://www.creativenarrations.net/site/projects.html
The Art of Digital Storytelling ebook http://www.ebookhost.net/tldmc2/ebook.html
Instructors can assign a topic or let students choose their own. The best digital stories
are typically written in 1st person (I, me) point of view.
– For an extensive list of potential topics, see
http://mccdigitalstory.blogspot.com/2007/12/ideas-for-digital-stories.html or
http://snipurl.com/digistoryideas
Step 2. Write a script
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CATESOL State Conference
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ESL Digital Storytelling
First, instructors may need to point out the differences between a paragraph (at lower
language levels) or essay (for adult / higher level students) and a script (which is meant
to be read aloud)
If possible, show a digital story with its transcribed script.
Most scripts are only one page typed double-spaced, and most digital stories are only a
maximum of three minutes long when narrated (it is a good idea to set these limitations
in order to keep the project manageable and ensure students finish within the term, but
of course it will depend on the course and time available).
Teach the writing process: provide feedback on content first, and then mechanics
(grammar, spelling, punctuation) in subsequent drafts of thre script.
To save time, it is often helpful to use a checklist (student self-checklist or for instructor
feedback checklist) or rubric or peer review (for higher levels), especially for
commenting on the initial drafts of the script. Sample script feedback checklist for peer
or instructor review:
Script Feedback:
1. The point of the story
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What is the problem/conflict/tension?
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How does the writer feel about this story? Why is this story important to him / her?
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What part do you like?
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Is there anything you don’t understand?
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What is not clear to you?
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What do you want to know more about?
2. Story Flow / Organization
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Does the story have a beginning?
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Does it have a middle?
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Does it have an end?
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Does it move along?
3. Economy
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Is the story 1 – 1/12 pages?
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What can be said with images instead of with words?
4. Visuals: What are 3 – 5 images that come to mind as you read the script?
5. Audio / Soundtrack: What music or sound effects came to mind as you read the
script?
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CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
Step 3. Practice read-alouds (with instructor, in pairs, or in small groups)
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The instructor should provide feedback on pronunciation, intonation, stress, volume, the
need for pauses, etc.
The instructor should stress that the “art” of storytelling is to use one’s voice effectively.
This can be accomplished by showing or reading good and bad samples (for example,
reading a script about an emotional topic in a monotone voice and then re-reading it
with pauses, stress, volume, pitch that suits the treatment of the topic).
Step 4. Make a storyboard
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A storyboard is an initial plan for the digital story that helps digital storytellers save time
when searching for / creating images and soundtrack (audio sound effects, music) and
helps to visualize the story elements. At this point, instructors may want to discuss
symbolism and how certain images can symbolize the emotions, moods, and
atmospheres in stories. For example, an image of a dark, cloudy day can symbolize
sadness or gloom.
See sample storyboard form downloaded during workshop (modified from the original,
courtesy of Penny Pearson, OTAN).
Step 5. Record voice-over narration
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Programs such as Windows Movie Maker and PhotoStory have built-in recording
functions, as does PowerPoint.
Audacity (www.audacity.sourcforege.net) is a free, useful option that can be
downloaded. This is an example of a program that should be used if the soundtrack will
be complex (with voice-over combined with multiple music and sound effects tracks).
The tracks can be edited, saved, and exported into a single audio file (.wav) that can be
inserted into PowerPoint slides and imported into programs often used for digital
storytelling, such as Movie Maker.
– Audacity manuals and online video tutorials:
 Audacity Manual: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/
 Audacity Tutorial: http://www.edhsonline.org/other/audacity/
 Teacher Tube Videos Related to Audacity and Sound Recording/Editing:
http://www.teachertube.com/search_result.php?search_id=audacity
If Audacity or a similar audio editing program is used, music and sound effects can be
added in. See handout for how to rip music from a CD. Sources for music and sound
effects downloads (many are free and copyright free):
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A1 Free Sound Effects http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com/
Absolute Sound Effects Archive http://www.grsites.com/sounds/
ArtistServer http://www.artistserver.com/music.cfm
CC Hits http://cchits.ning.com/hits/
ccMixter http://ccmixter.org/
ccMixter http://www.ccmixter.org/
Findsounds http://www.findsounds.com/
Foxtunes http://www.foxtunes.com/
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ESL Digital Storytelling
Free Loops http://free-loops.com/free-loops.php
Free Music http://freemusic.com/
Free Music Project http://freemusic.freeculture.org/
Free Sound Project http://www.freesound.org/searchText.php
Freeplay Music http://freeplaymusic.com/
Funky Remixes http://funkyremixes.com/
iBeat http://ibeat.org/
incompetech http://incompetech.com/
Internet Archive http://www.archive.org/details/audio
Jamendo http://www.jamendo.com/
JamStudio - make your own music online http://www.jamstudio.com/Studio/index.htm
Kitzu www.kitzu.org
Many .wav Sound Files http://www.externalharddrive.com/waves/waves.html
Mp3.com http://www.mp3.com/free-music/free-mp3s
Mutopia http://www.ibiblio.org/mutopia
Open Music Archive http://www.openmusicarchive.org/index.php
Opsound http://www.opsound.org/opsound.html
Partners in Rhyme Free Sound Effects http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/pir/PIRsfx.shtml
Partners in Rhyme http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/
Podsafe Audio http://www.podsafeaudio.com/
Public Domain Music http://www.pdinfo.com/
Sample Net http://www.samplenet.co.uk/
SimplytheBest Free Sounds http://simplythebest.net/sounds/
Soundsnap http://www.soundsnap.com/
Soungle http://www.soungle.com/
TheFreeSite http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds/Free_WAVs/
WavCentral http://freeplaymusic.com/
WebPlaces www.webplaces.com/html/sounds.htm
Step 6. Compile images
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Students should be encouraged to use original artwork (paintings, drawings, sketches).
If possible, students can take digital photos and download to a computer.
– Images can be edited with photo editing programs, such as the following:
• Photoshop, if available and if digital storytellers have experience using the
program.
• PowerPoint has very basic tools for editing (cropping, increasing
brightness) images and adding effects (see 2007 version)
• Picasa is a free Google download for photo editing.To download Picasa,
go to http://picasa.google.com/download/. See the Picasa video tutorial
can be viewed at http://www.ewiza.com/misc/picasa-video-tutorial.html
• There are several online photo editing and altering (special effects) sites
with no download required, but registration is required with some sites.
Some of these are the following:
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Adobe Photoshop Express
https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html
Be Funky http://www.befunky.com/
FotoFlexer http://fotoflexer.com/
Graphita http://www.graphita.com/
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CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
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Phixr http://www.phixr.com/
Picnik http://www.picnik.com/
Pixenate http://pixenate.com/
Students can scan old (not digital) photos.
Or the Internet can be used to find images.
– Sources (many are free and copyright free; if not designated as copyright-free,
students can use images only for classroom presentation – permission should be
obtained when using copyright images in digital stories that will be posted online,
in order to avoid copyright infringement):
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Animation Station http://animationstation.com/
Art Images for College Teaching (Royalty Free) http://www.arthist.umn.edu/aict/html/
Background City http://backgroundcity.com/
Copyrightfreephotos.com http://www.copyrightfreephotos.com/
Flickr http://www.flickr.com/
Flickr Storm http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/
Free Digital Photos http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
Free Graphics http://freegraphics.com/
Free Range Stock Photos http://www.freerangestock.com/
FreeFoto http://www.freefoto.com/
FreeStockPhotos http://freestockphotos.com/
Fresher Image http://fresherimage.com/
Google Images http://images.google.com/
More Free Photos http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/
Morguefile http://www.morguefile.com
Nations Illustrated http://www.nationsillustrated.com/
Open Photo Project http://openphoto.net/
PD Photo http://pdphoto.org/
Photogen free photos http://www.photogen.com/
Pics4Learning http://www.pics4learning.com/
Pixel Perfect Digital http://www.pixelperfectdigital.com/free_stock_photos/
Public Domain Photos http://www.public-domain-photos.com/
Public Domain Pictures http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/
Smithsonian Images
http://smithsonianimages.si.edu/siphoto/siphoto.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=home
Snap-shot.com http://snap-shot.com/
stock.xchnge free stock photos http://www.sxc.hu/
The Royalty Free Clip Art Collection For Foreign/Second Language Instruction
http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/JapanProj/FLClipart/
The University of Victoria Teaching Clipart Gallery http://hcmc.uvic.ca/clipart/
World Images http://worldart.sjsu.edu/
YotoPhoto http://yotophoto.com/
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ESL Digital Storytelling
Step 7. Use a computer program to digitize the project
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There are several free programs for making digital stories. The following is a list of
options:
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PowerPoint presentation with slides narrated (choose the record narration option)
Windows Movie Maker (comes standard on PCs with Windows operating systems)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx
Microsoft PhotoStory (download for PCs)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/PhotoStory/default.mspx
Apple iLife (includes iMovie and GarageBand, comes standard on Apple computers)
http://www.apple.com/ilife/
Online tools such as Jaycut http://jaycut.com, VoiceThread http://voicethread.com/ ,
Bubbleshare slideshows http://www.bubbleshare.com/ , Slide http://www.slide.com/,
Muveemix http://www.muveemix.com/, Bubblr http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/,
Glogster http://www.glogster.com/ , and many more. See CogDogRoo Wiki on “50+
Web 2.0 Ways to Tell a Story” at http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/50+Ways for a list of
numerous tools for making digital stories.
Some other options (not free):
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Adobe Premiere http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/index.html
Final Cut Pro (Apple) http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/
Pinnacle Studio (PCs)
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1501&Langue_ID=7
Step 8. Add titles, credits, special effects, and transitions (as the program used allows)
and synchronize audio with images
* In Windows Movie Maker as well as other video editing software programs, this is the
most time-consuming step, if audio is imported.
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CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
Step 9. View “rough cuts” and provide feedback
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Use a checklist or form to provide feedback as a whole class, for peer feedback, or oneon-one instructor to student feedback. Sample:
Team Rough-Cut Feedback Form
1. Does the story grab and keep your attention? If so, how?
2. What is the message or theme of the story?
3. What is the best part of the story? (the story itself, images, voice-over, soundtrack,
special effects such as transitions and video effects)
4. What is something that could be better or that is missing? Be specific about images,
colors, titles and credits, effects, voice-over, sound track…
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Feedback sessions should be followed with further revisions, editing.
Step 10: Final saving, rendering, publishing (burning digital story to a CD or DVD or
posting online with students’ permission), viewing, celebrating (voting for best digital
stories in such categories as best technical, best story, best overall digital story, etc.),
and evaluating projects
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Sample rubric for evaluating student digital story projects:
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CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
Rubric for Digital Story Assessment
Digital Story
Element
Story
1 point
2 points
3 points
Relevance
Not an interesting story
or incomplete story or
not student’s own story;
confusing
Compelling, dramatic
story
Vocabulary
Much repetition of
words or use of
inappropriate
vocabulary
Too short or too long
Not completely clear
how the story is
personal or has
importance to the
storyteller; some parts
unclear
Some repetition of
words and some
inappropriate
vocabulary
Just a little shorter or
longer than it should be
Some revisions; some
errors corrected; story
improved somewhat
Choice and number of
images is adequate but
some images are
inappropriate, of poor
quality, or do not
enhance the story
Most titles and credits
are accurate but there is
one mistake
Images effectively
support and enhance
the story
Does not use voice
effectively to tell the
story; pacing too fast or
too slow
Frequent pronunciation
errors that affect
comprehension; influent
speaking
No soundtrack or
completely
inappropriate
Uses voice somewhat
well to tell the story;
pacing OK
Effective use of voicing
enhances the story;
pacing enhances the
tone of the story
Good pronunciation and
fluent speaking, no
hesitations
No transitions or special
effects; most of the
story is text; images and
audio out of synch; story
not finished
A few transitions and
special effects; images
and audio out of synch
in some places
Length
Revision / editing
No or few revisions;
story shows no change
or improvement from
first draft
Appropriate and varied
vocabulary
Treatment of the topic is
the right length
Story revised; errors in
grammar, spelling were
corrected; story
improved significantly
Visuals
Images
Choice and number of
images is inadequate or
inappropriate; images of
too poor quality
Titles and Credits
Two or more mistakes
or serious spelling and
grammar errors
All titles and credits are
accurate, appropriate,
and enhance the digital
story
Audio
Voice-Over Narration:
Use of voice (pacing,
intonation, stress)
Voice-Over Narration:
Fluency, pronunciation
Soundtrack
A few pronunciation
errors, some hesitations
that make it sound as if
reading
Soundtrack OK but may
not fit the story
Soundtrack reflects the
story and enhances it
Production
Transitions, effects,
synchronizing audio and
images/titles
Points: _______/ 30 points possible = ______ %
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Mix and transitions and
special effects enhance
the story; images and
audio meld together
seamlessly
CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
Comments:
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If digital stories are burned to a CD, they can be viewed on most computers. If they are
burned to a DVD, they may also be viewed on televisions when played in a DVD player.
Another option for publishing and sharing students’ work is to upload the digital stories
to a class blog or website. There are also many sites that allow free video uploading.
Some allow registered users to choose private or publish postings. Of course, students
should fill out release forms if the instructor uploads their work to the Internet.
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This is a list of some of the most popular (free) video sharing sites:
Blip.tv http://blip.tv/
Crackle http://crackle.com/index.aspx
Daily Motion http://www.dailymotion.com
DropShots http://www.dropshots.com/
Freevlog http://www.freevlog.org/index.php/category/tutorial/ (set up a video blog)
Google Video http://video.google.com/
Internet Archive http://www.archive.org
MetaTube http://www.metatube.com/
Odeo http://odeo.com
OurMedia http://www.ourmedia.com
Photobucket http://photobucket.com/
Revver http://revver.com/
School tube http://www.schooltube.com/
TeacherTube http://www.teachertube.com/
TinyPic http://tinypic.com/
Viddler http://www.viddler.com/
Yahoo! Video http://video.yahoo.com/
YouTube http://www.schooltube.com/
ZippyVideos http://www.zippyvideos.com/
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If PowerPoint is used for digital stories, PowerPoint slideshows can be uploaded
to the web for sharing with these sites (registration required). With these sites,
users are provided an embed (html) code, so that the PowerPoint slideshow can
be embedded on a class Web site or blog.
AuthorStream http://www.authorstream.com/
Myplick http://www.myplick.com/
Scribd http://www.scribd.com/
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PowerPoint slideshows can also be uploaded to YouTube. See the following
tutorials:
Video tutorial on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUcZG38_hoI
Slideshare video tutorial http://www.slideshare.net/gaochuhan/how-to-uploadpowerpoint-to-you-tube/
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CATESOL State Conference
ESL Digital Storytelling
Other Useful Resources:
PhotoStory Tutorial
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/tips/firststory.mspx
Kodak Photo Tips
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=39&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=856
Microsoft Digital Photography Tips
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/composition.mspx
Photography Tips
http://www.photographytips.com/
Windows Movie Maker Tutorials
Windows Tutorial http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/default.mspx
Atomic Learning Tutorials http://www.atomiclearning.com/moviemaker2
Adobe Premiere Elements Tutorials http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/premiere/pro/ ,
http://www.techtutorials.info/adpremier.html , http://www.wrigleyvideo.com/videotutorial/tutorials.htm
Everyone Has a Story to Tell http://visalia.k12.ca.us/teachers/mblanton/techcoach/photostory/
Techlearning article on Digital Storytelling
http://techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=196605451&page=1
The Art of Digital Storytelling ebook http://www.ebookhost.net/tldmc2/ebook.html
Edutupia Article: “How to Use Digital Storytelling in the Classroom” http://www.edutopia.org/use-digitalstorytelling-classroom
Tech Head Digital Storytelling Links http://tech-head.com/dstory.htm
Digital Storytelling Resources for Teachers http://www.techteachers.com/digitalstorytelling.htm
Electronic Portfolios (many useful links) http://electronicportfolios.org/digistory/
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