Digital Storytelling Article (Entry 6)

Ohler, Jason (2008). Digital Storytelling in the classroom. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.

I enjoyed this article so much due to the fact that the author provided so very many examples of digital storytelling. As an educator I realize the importance of providing students with opportunities to tell "their story". Every child loves to share his or her experiences with those that will listen. I remember the last year I was able to have a sharing time as an elementary student. I was in the fourth grade. Even though I was encouraged to write about my own experiences once I left the fourth grade, there was never an opportunity to share or even sit in the author's chair; as a matter a matter-of-fact, I don't recall ever knowing an author's chair existed when I was a child, even though I'm sure it did, somewhere. Assignments were so rigid and traditional, and that is why I am so excited about the opportunity to introduce my own students to this type of media that encourages the new age in storytelling. According to the article teachers "find themselves confronted by truly new material that challenges their preconceptions about student work in content areas" (pg. 20, 2008) as they learn about DST. This type of new media as it is referred to will surely open many doors for students and teachers as they explore what can be done with it.