Storyjumper is a free online website where users can create and publish their storybooks. It is used to enhance writing and language skills in a fun way by creating a story. As it is a simple website it is directed at students, parents and educators. Due to its simplicity and is an excellent tool for supporting EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) students with writing. It allows for collaboration and connection. Users can create their own story from scratch or use customisable templates. They can select illustrations, type in their text and add sound effects or voice narration. Storyjumper also allows for books to be published and printed in hard copy.
Figure 1: StoryJumper (2020 Sep 18) How to Create a StoryJumper Book [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlqrpmFL55E
Storyjumper is a useful digital tool that can be used across a range of subjects. For example, a Year 3 English class that is focused on the EN2-HANDW-02 outcome, focuses on using digital technologies to create tools. For instance, if students are learning about creating narratives it is an interactive way that students can learn. Due to it being an online website, it is easy to fix mistakes instead of wasting paper. Haleem (2022) explores how using less paper is a way to promote sustainability and expand the reach and impact for students and teachers. As it is an online website it can help students who may have vision impairments as it can be changed to an audiobook, which you are unable to create on paper. StoryJumper is a simple-to-use website that students can follow after watching a tutorial. Below is an example of what can be made on Storyjumper regarding creating narratives.
Syllabus
EN2-HANDW-02 uses digital technologies to create texts
Screenshot and Story created by Amaka Okenwa
Storyjumper is a great website for creating books as it is free to use and allows students to create their own stories. Storyjumper supports the connectivism learning theory as it allows users to share their stories with others and encourages collaboration between students. As stated before it reduces the amount of paper being used and allows students to gain narrative writing skills and how to present narratives visually. Storyjumper does support diverse learners as it is a multi-modal site. The only downside to Storyjumper is you have to pay to download or buy the story and if the school or student does not have the funds they can only read online, which is suitable for the classroom but not for sharing with everyone.
Screenshot taken by Amaka Okenwa of Ella Chase and Hutson Catullo Story Book
https://www.storyjumper.com/book/read/167978491/The-Magical-Threads-of-Threadsville#page/1
References + Word Count 398
Chase, E. Catullo, H. (n.d.). The magical threads of Threadsville. StoryJumper. https://www.storyjumper.com/book/read/167978491/The-Magical-Threads-of-Threadsvill
Goldie, J. G. S. (2016). Connectivism: A knowledge learning theory for the digital age? Medical Teacher, 38(10), 1064–1069. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2016.1173661
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable Operations and Computers, 3, 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004
Kimmons, R. (n.d.). StoryJumper. EdTech Books. https://edtechbooks.org/onlinetools/storyjumper
StoryJumper (2020 Sep 18) How to Create a StoryJumper Book [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlqrpmFL55E