Bunting, J. (n.d.). Definitions and examples of the 6 shapes of stories. https://thewritepractice.com/story-arcs/
More scaffolding to help students write stories, using the classic approaches with different narrative arcs.
Center for Digital Storytelling. (n.d.). Stories. http://storycenter.org/stories/
A good place to start when thinking about DST.
ECNY. (n.d.) ECNY digital storytelling channel. https://vimeo.com/ecnydigitalstories
Series of videos created by students.
Ferlazzo, L. (2020). Websites of the day. https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org
A wonderful blog for technology-using English language teachers, with many tips and "best of" blogs.
Gonzalez, J. (2020). Cult of pedagogy. Retrieved from https://cultofpedagogy.com
A teacher-to-teacher blog with a lot of useful advice. Not specific to English language teaching, but still helpful.
Healey, D. (2020). 10 elements of DST. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHTE_V2Aq7c
A 2-minute video overview in pictures, inspired by kvnbldng (2009) and based on the 10 elements of educational digital storytelling by Robin (2013).
Kapuler, D. (2020). 30 sites and apps for digital storytelling. https://www.techlearning.com/tl-advisor-blog/30-sites-and-apps-for-digital-storytelling
30 sites and apps are linked, with a little bit of annotation. Some free, some commercial.
Khan, F. (2014). 9 free tools for digital storytelling. http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/digital-story-telling-tools/
A helpful annotated list; just watch out for the linked ads.
KNILT. (2020). Digital storytelling for ELLs. https://knilt.arcc.albany.edu/Digital_Storytelling_for_ELLs
Self-paced mini-course on digital storytelling.
kvnbldng. (2009). 7 elements of digital storytelling. [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1f-_FXgJZM
A highly engaging short video about digital storytelling - told in a very story-like format. This is one of my inspirations.
Lanir, L. (2019). Using digital storytelling in language classrooms. https://medium.com/@llanirfreelance/using-digital-storytelling-in-language-classrooms-b7ed6b3859bf
MacArthur, M. (2012). Dear Grandma. [Video file.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAVe4Bob3Ys
Sample digital story
Morra, S. (2014). Eight steps to digital storytelling. https://samanthamorra.com/2013/06/05/edudemic-article-on-digital-storytelling/
Clear explanation of the DST process.
Ohler, J. (2014). Art, storytelling, technology and education. http://www.jasonohler.com/storytelling/index.cfm
Some very useful guides to the process of using digital storytelling in the classroom, from start to finish
Peterson, L. (2017). The science behind the art of storytelling. https://www.harvardbusiness.org/the-science-behind-the-art-of-storytelling/
Why stories are powerful (a business perspective).
Rachid. (2009). Digital stories in the ESL classroom. http://esoltechnology.com/2009/02/25/digital-stories-in-the-esl-classroom/
More on using DST in English language teaching
Robin, B. (2013). Educational uses of digital storytelling. http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/
Article with helpful suggestions, but not focused on English language teaching.
Rutledge, P.B. (2011). The psychological power of storytelling. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positively-media/201101/the-psychological-power-storytelling
Some psychological bases for storytelling
Rutledge, P.B. (2011). Transmedia storytelling: The reemergence of fundamentals. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positively-media/201101/transmedia-storytelling-the-reemergence-fundamentals
A discussion about the psychology of modern storytelling, with multiple media and audience involvement in the story world.
Sadik, A. (2008). Digital storytelling: A meaningful technology-integrated approach for engaged student learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, 56, 487–506.
Article about research done on digital storytelling in Egypt.
Schrock, K. (2020). Digital storytelling. http://www.schrockguide.net/digital-storytelling.html
Useful links and resources for English language teachers. This comprehensive list is organized into categories but not annotated.
Schwertly, S. (2022). The neuroscience of storytelling (infographic). https://secureservercdn.net/160.153.137.163/rvx.897.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Neuroscience-of-storytelling.jpg
The brain and storytelling.
Seol, J. (2013). Digital story cycle - Jiyoon Seol. https://video.com/59731964
Digital story from an English language learner.
Bello, A. (2020). Just being human [video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDY408JKzdI
A digital story from COVID times, by an ESL teacher.
ESL Library (2020) Social justice collection. https://esllibrary.com/collections/70/lessons
Readings and audio, digital and print; find good prompts for and examples of storytelling
IASC (2020). My hero is you. https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-reference-group-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-emergency-settings/my-hero-you
Free downloadable illustrated story for children about COVID and staying safe; multiple translations available on the site
iSLCollective. (2020). Search for different topics. https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/
Refugee, social justice, COVID as topics for worksheets and readings. Free registration required.
Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance). (2020). Student tasks. https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources/student-tasks/do-something Suggested activities, many of which would be good for digital storytelling. Classroom resources at https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources are also useful for teaching about social justice.
Migrant Child Storytelling. (2020). Migrant child storytelling. https://migrantchildstorytelling.org/
Some sample digital stories
Storycenter (2020). Stories from the global COVID-19 Pandemic. https://www.storycenter.org/covid-stories
Read and listen to stories; contribute stories.
TESOL COVID-19 Resources Group.
Discussion group with a library; find and share information about classrooms and current events.
Ud Din, M.M. (2017). Integrating storytelling as a tool for healing and community building. https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/integrating-storytelling-tool-healing-community-building/
How telling stories helped a Syrian refugee community - good example of the power of stories.
UNESCO (2020). My COVID-19 story. https://en.unesco.org/youth/my-covid19-story
Young people are invited to share their stories of this time with a global, UNESCO audience
Hero’s Journey
The Hero's Journey: A storytelling format - https://writingcooperative.com/the-heros-journey-a-storytelling-format-making-viral-plots-since-star-wars-19ad1a53899e
Hero's Journey: Definition and Step-by-Step Guide (With Checklist!) https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/heros-journey/#the_12_steps_of_the_hero_s_journey
Bunting, J. (n.d.). Definitions and examples of the 6 shapes of stories. https://thewritepractice.com/story-arcs/
More scaffolding to help students write stories, using the classic approaches with different narrative arcs.
Bunting, J. (n.d.). What makes great characters: Sean Boyle. https://thewritepractice.com/shawn-coyne/
Helpful tips for writing teacher
Bunting, J. & Reid, R. (2016). What is plot? The 6 elements of plot and how to use them. https://thewritepractice.com/plot
Examples of story arcs, with images.
Koenitz, H., Di Pastena, A., Jansen, D., de Lint, B., & Moss, M. (2018). The myth of "universal" narrative models: Expanding the design space of narrative structures for interactive digital narratives. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329064597_The_Myth_of_%27Universal%27_Narrative_Models
A greater variety of story arcs, including non-Western types
Microsoft. (n.d.). Movie Maker 10. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/movie-maker-10-free/9mvfq4lmz6c9?cid=msft_web_chart
A free program to download; runs on Windows 10.
Apple (n.d.). iMovie. Free download at the App Store; part of iLife. iOS only.
Pic-Lits. (n.d.). Piclits. Retrieved from https://piclits.com
Start with one of their photos and choose nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs to create a story.
CogDog. (n.d.). 5-card flickr. Retrieved from https://5card.cogdogblog.com/play.php
Choose five photos presented randomly and create a story.
Comics - MakeBeliefsComix - there are many more comic creators as well
Apps like Book Creator (iPad and Chrome)
Conrad, J.R. (n.d.) Digital story storyboard template. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VN4hRnCKs3iLgF0wGu0A5JoAEVBprAwkHjZVKt7zJ7E/edit
Education World. (2015). Free storyboard template downloads. Retrieved from https://www.educationworld.com/tools_templates/template_strybrd_8panels.doc
Ohler, J. (n.d.). Digital storytelling storyboard templates. Retrieved from http://www.jasonohler.com/pdfs/digitalStorytellingStoryBoard.doc
Images
Pixabay.com - images free to use without attribution (CC0 license); you are urged to buy a cup of coffee for the image creator
Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/ - many images, some audio/music, some video that is free to use, but with various requirements
Check the media to see if they require that you say where you got them (CC BY), or non-commercial use (CC NC). If they are marked as CC0, then you don't need to say anything.
CC Search - creative commons-licensed images, not just on Flickr: https://ccsearch.creativecommons.org
Check the photos to see if they require that you say where you got them(CC BY), or non-commercial use (CC NC). If they are CC0, then you don't need to say anything.
FlickrCC – creative commons-licensed images: https://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
Like CC Search, check the type of license.
Photo editing with Pixlr Editor
Free online editor, like Photoshop
FreeMusicArchive.org or Dig.CCmixter.org
Search by genre or title; large number of options
Create your own music
Garage Band (iOS) and Music Maker Jam (iOS)
SongMaker - Chrome - musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker
Some amazing tools - very addictive!
Video
Brown, L. (2020). Best websites for free public domain footage. Retrieved from https://filmora.wondershare.com/video-editing-tips/best-websites-download-free-public-domain-footage.html
Check these sites for freely usable videos - some with audio, some without. Many are government-created, and some have a 2-minute limit. But they are free.
COPYRIGHT NOTE: Video is generally not usable except by linking. There is no "fair use" with downloaded video, no matter how little you download and use. While music videos may be tempting, they are strongly subject to copyright. You may be able to sample a very small amount of audio, but not video.
This article from Hayo Reinders has a very nice lesson plan approach to creating a digital story. It's from 2011, so some of the tools mentioned may no longer be available.
The National Center for Quality Afterschool has this lesson plan that can be adapted for just about any grade; it's not particularly for ELT, though.
A DST rubric, created with Rubistar, from the University of Houston. It would need to be adapted for English language learners.
See my how-to video on converting PowerPoint to video at https://youtu.be/XOfq-1zf80s
Steps to convert PowerPoint to a video (also on Workshop page)
Steps to convert Google Slides to a video (also on Workshop page)
See Workshop page for more
Healey, D. (2020). Telling our Stories - TESOL Italy (as PDF - see below)
Healey, D. (2019). Telling our Stories PPT (on Slideshare.net)
Created by D. Healey; updated 1 March 2022.