Digital Storytelling

Storybird

Use artwork from professional illustrators or create your own. It's very easy to use because each page of art is already completed. This program is more about your storytelling ability than your visual artistic design skills. If you really want to manipulate the visuals of your story, then you might want to try another program. Storybird for Schools = Free teacher and student accounts

High School - Everyone's Different

Elementary School - I Like Monsters

Teacher Example - Alien Attack

StoryJumper

Use your own artwork or photos to create books, or simply use the site's characters, clips and scenes. It's easy to use and allows for visual artistic creativity as well as storytelling. It has an excellent "StoryStarter" worksheet to guide writers. A special feature on this site is that you can also purchase copies of digital books (your own or those created by other writers). StoryJumper Classroom Edition = Free teacher and student accounts

High School - Molly's Hair | I'm Not Scared of my Potty | Eli's Birthday Party

Elementary School - Ms. Harris Rocks!

ZooBurst

3D Pop-up books. A little different take and easy to create books make this a good entry level option. Use personal or downloaded photos or clip art. There are educator licenses available.

Toon Doo

This is the most advanced storytelling program, geared toward comic design. It allows the creator to make comic pages, books, design characters, upload and manipulate photos, and add artistic touches. You can also purchase copies of digital books (your own or those created by other writers). ToonDooSpaces = Teacher and students accounts for a price.

High School - Cats vs. Dogs | Dirty Rodney | Death of Leaders | French Revolution

Pixton

Single page comic maker with the option for preset templates or designing from scratch. Collaborative with mobile app options. Move characters in any pose, use your own photos, and create speech bubbles in any language. Many sharing options. Platform that could be adapted for the creation of infographics.

Integration Ideas

• Have older students "teach" younger students a concept, idea, or event. Involves students taking complex ideas and retelling them in a way a younger audience could understand.
• Demonstrate understanding of a concept, idea, or event by retelling it in a storybook format.
• What happens next? Have students continue the character's journey.
• Provide all the students with a set of images and have them individually create a story. (Could be done with printouts of the images if there are not computers available for every student).
• Create a book on how to do a specific task - using student photographs or drawings to illustrate the ideas.
• With a single computer, the teacher could lead the class through the creation of the story around a concept or moral.
• Computer station, have students work on their story while others complete different projects or types of projects.
• Invite family and friends to view finished products and provide feedback to the students.