Learning experiences in our schools have continued to evolve accommodating digital storytelling in classrooms as technology progresses in today’s world. Digital storytelling incorporates the use of recorded audio narrations, images, text or animations to pass information to learners.
Digital storytelling can be used at all learning levels from early childhood to secondary and tertiary levels. This form of learning becomes impactful for all learners, and institutions could accelerate the understanding of basic concepts such as vocabulary, comprehension, etc. There are different ways on how to use digital storytelling in the classroom and some are discussed below;
Using Digital Storytelling to Attract learners’ Attention
Teachers can use digital storytelling to introduce different concepts in an engaging way. For example, mathematical concepts like addition, subtraction and division can be built through interactive stories where characters encounter situations requiring these skills. Similarly, scientific concepts can be introduced by sharing fun facts about different phenomena, brought to life through animation or any digital form. Presenting these stories to them captures their attention thus making it easier to introduce a certain concept as they become more receptive to the material being presented.
Digital Storytelling as an Engagement Strategy in the Classroom
Storytelling sometimes involves concepts from things revolving around our everyday lives. According to research by Emily Baxtrom, storytelling acts as a way to communicate personal experiences. When learners listen to a story that relates to their everyday lives, it promotes their engagement in conversations and lessons in the classroom. For instance, if the learners are tackling a topic on family structures and listen to a podcast narrating a family tree, they get intrigued to engage and narrate the structures of their own families back at home. Additionally, listening to stories increases learners’ ability to learn new words and phrases, increasing their vocabulary development. For example, Demane na Pacha Wake story from our podcast engages kids in different aspects like songs, and sibling relationships, and takes the audience to a different realm of giants.
Illustrations using Digital Storytelling
Grasping complex concepts could be difficult for some learners. Incorporating digital storytelling through podcasts, audiobooks, images or infographics can come in handy to illustrate complicated concepts for learners. According to Cox, J. storytelling in the classroom improves understanding through illustrations of the various concepts being taught. For instance, if the lesson at hand involves instructional concepts, podcasts with images can be used to guide the learners to understand each step.
When educators embrace digital storytelling to engage their learners in the classroom, it increases their comprehension skills. These skills are measured through the questions an educator asks at the end of the podcast. For instance, if the story involves different characters, they are asked to mention the characters’ names or the activities the characters are involved in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, digital storytelling is a concept being embraced in today’s learning curriculum. Digital storytelling through podcasts allows educators to engage with their learners, break down their lessons into achievable and understandable concepts, and foster understanding.
Edutab embraces podcast educational concepts in its engagements expanding learners’ experiences in their learning journeys. Listen to our African Children’s Podcast feel free to share your feedback on how useful the stories are in your setting. Also, contact us for more information on how to use the stories and if you would love to be one of our narrators.
Written by Faith Wanja