Creating Digital Historical Narratives
"Digital historical narrative refers to a digital story that describes or
interprets historical events" (Bull, 2005).
Digital historical narratives are an adaptation of Digital Storytelling. They capture
some event from the past and bring it to life. By using electronic primary sources
a 2-3 minute "movie" is created that includes a variety of media—audio, video,
photographs, and text.
Use the guide below, along with the three formative case studies from Chapters
5, 6 and 7 to create your very own Digital Historical Narrative! You will use
iMovie, Prezi or another digital communication medium to tell your story. Be
creative! You will work on this assignment in groups of 3 but you will need to use
your computer time wisely and efficiently (computer time is limited).
1. Essential Question: “How do historical narratives explore cultural unity?”
2. Point of view: Digital historical narratives are very different from traditional,
generic and "objective" interpretations of the past. Here the creator
chooses a point of view from which to tell the story; sometimes multiple
views are incorporated. For instance, a major event such as the sinking of
the Titanic could be depicted by a survivor, a wealthy passenger or a poor
passenger, or from a scientist studying the technical aspects of the ship
sinking. The point of view determines the level of emotional content that
will be present in the narrative.
3. Emotional content: Just like the dramatic question is designed to grab the
audience's attention, so too emotional content is what draws interest in the
narrative. The past was not a dull, boring thing [although some history
textbooks may depict it as such]. Rather it was vibrant, human, and
multifaceted. Digital historical narratives bring this notion to life. By adding
music, voice, and images from the past they engage the audience in the
human experience.
4. Economy and pacing: Key to digital historical narratives is the pacing. These
are not intended to be long documentaries. Rather the narratives are
focused around a single dramatic question which is answered by the end.
Attention to economy and pacing forces the creator to concisely and
vividly recount a historical concept.
5. Voice and soundtrack: Finally, no digital historical narrative would be complete
without voice and soundtrack. Sometimes referred to as the "Ken Burn's
effect," these narratives dramatize the past. Again, in order to grab the
audiences' attention and add emotion to the interpretation, a variety of
audio tracks are incorporated into the final product.
Historical Narratives Evaluation Rubric
Beginning
Acceptable
Proficient
Mastery
Historical
narrative
incorporates
limited or
incomplete
visual and oral
communication.
Historical
narrative
demonstrates
and incomplete
or limited
connection to
preConfederation
Canadian
culture
Historical
narrative
incorporates
adequate visual
and oral
communication.
Historical
narrative
incorporates
strong visual
and oral
communication.
Historical
narrative
incorporates
exemplary
visual and oral
communication.
Historical
narrative
demonstrates
basic
connection to
preConfederation
Canadian
culture
Historical
narrative
demonstrates a
solid
connection to
preConfederation
Canadian
culture
Historical
narrative
demonstrates
exemplary
connection to
preConfederation
Canadian
culture
Narrative
demonstrates a
limited or
incomplete
recognition of
historical
awareness;
context is not
considered.
The focus case
study is either
not relevant or
does not
critically assess
political,
economic and
military
aspects.
Narrative
demonstrates
an adequate
recognition of
historical
awareness;
context is not
considered.
Narrative
demonstrates a
strong
recognition of
historical
awareness;
context is not
considered.
Narrative
demonstrates
an exemplary
recognition of
historical
awareness;
context is not
considered.
The focus case
study is
adequate and
logically
assesses
political,
economic and
military aspects
of preConfederation
Canada.
Comments:
The focus case
study is strong
and critically
assesses
political,
economic and
military aspects
of preConfederation
Canada.
The focus case
study is
exemplary and
critically
assesses
political,
economic and
military aspects
of preconfederation
Canada.
Language Arts
7.4.3 – Use
effective oral and
visual
communication
7.5.1 – Relate
texts to culture
Social Studies
7.S.2 – Develop
Skills of Historic
Thinking
7.1.6 – Assess,
critically, how
political,
economic and
military events
contributed to
the
foundations of
Canada
Student Name: