Promoting+Understanding

__//** How can the use of digital storytelling and dynamic media promote the development of understanding in the classroom? **//__

In general, the creation of a successful digital story requires an in depth look at information, even if it is information about your own life. Additionally, the creator of a digital story must determine the best way to logically sequence and present information, give details, integrate music, sync visuals, etc., making each story accessible to viewers. The creation of digital stories forces the creator to move through all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, from lower order to higher order thinking skills (Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluation and Creating). The use of dynamic media and digital story creation in the classroom also incorporates the updated version of Bloom’s which includes new digital skills as shown below ([|Churches, 2008]):


 * **__Level __** ||  **__Digital Skill __**  ||
 * Remembering || highlighting, bookmarking, Googling ||
 * Understanding || Twittering, commenting, subscribing ||
 * Applying || operating, uploading, sharing ||
 * Analyzing || mashing, linking, tagging ||
 * Evaluating || commenting, reviewing, collaborating ||
 * Creating || blogging, remixing, pod-casting ||

Digital story telling gives every student the extended time and the forum for the discovery of the power of their own voice. Any student at any level should feel comfortable (with varying levels of support) creating a digital story that they are passionate about. Since students drive the creation of the digital story from start to finish, it encompasses all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. One cannot design and create a digital story product (Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Creation) without the basic knowledge and comprehension (Remembering and Understanding) of their topic. In this open ended medium, students “take part in a range of learning styles” ([|Boss, 2008]) tailoring their product to their own educational needs. Their voice is given even greater power with the option to publish their story engaging “not only students, but also the wider community.”

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Because digital storytelling is such a student-driven, authentic experience based in technology, the “language familiar to them” ([|Jakes, 2008]), most, if not all, students should be passionate about the project. Digital story projects enable teachers to engage all learners by daring them to be passionate about learning and expressing their new found knowledge. Thus, deep learning, the development of understanding, should take place, building strong,life-long 21st century learners.