Group+B+5-B-1

=​Home > Group B Workspace > Learning Activity 5-B-1: Storytelling Examples=

"Rebuilding Chrissy's Face" by Don Colburn et. al. //Warning: Some intense images of a woman's disfigured face; however, I had to share this incredible story.// -Posted by Chris Cooper

This particular digital story uses a combination of video embedding, text, and images. It is over 60 pages in length, and it works sort of like an "online book." Certainly, it's a long story, but it deserves that much attention. I found th​is to be quite moving. In a nutshell, Chrissy's face was horribly disfigured in 1999 after a shooting accident, and the story depicts the efforts made to fit her with a prosthetic face. Video interviews, powerful images, and informational yet effective text all combine to create this emotionally riveting story.

Jenny Craig : This digital story was excellent! My 8th graders, as vain as they seem to be, would find this woman's strength and courage inspirational.

Susan Andrews : The "booklet" form of this presentation is compelling, as it allows viewers to stop and discuss. The embedded video also brings the viewer out of the relatively passive role of reading text.

Jen Gandee - That was a very powerful story! I could not stop watching. Good choice.

Digital Storytelling in Plain English -Posted by Chris Cooper

This is a tutorial about Digital Storytelling. This is simply a video at first, but it incorporates digital images in appropriate places. It's very clever in its depiction of Digitial Storytelling, but it doesn't make as much use of the moviemaking program as it could.

"War is not the Answer" by Linda Brawner -Posted by Chris Cooper

This Digital Story seems to use a slideshow program like Moviemaker or iMovie. The narration may be recorded on a program such as Audacity. Powerful images and a melancholy narration depict the effects of war on children across the globe.

Posted by Jenny Craig
media type="youtube" key="LEoTKxr9EyY" height="385" width="480"
 * __Example #1__ ** I really enjoyed this story. It tells of a young man's last family trip before his parents announced their divorce. I think many of my students can identify with his situation and many of them probably are undergoing or have undergone similar circumstances.

Susan Andrews : I will be recommending this to our Guidance Department, for use in their "Children of Divorce" group next year.

Chris Cooper : For some reason, this one really got to me. The video effects of the parents vanishing from the photographs effictively hit an emotional chord! ​​ ​​

Example # 2: Jenny Craig media type="youtube" key="bdxYvAgGI0E" height="385" width="480"
 * Example #2 ** has a very important message about racism in today's society. The young lady began a relationship with the young man who happened to be African American. She outlines the difficulty she faced going out in public with him and how uncomfortable her grandmother felt when she told her. Despite people's ignorance, she followed her heart. She tells about that experience and tries to teach us all something at the same time. My 8th graders can identify with this young couple and we do an entire unit on prejudice. Showing my students this modern day example would really tie in nicely with that unit.

Susan Andrews : Prejudice is alive and well in America. This beautifully written testimony illustrates how a relationship that "colors outside the lines" can effect a generational shift in attitude. Jen Gandee - This was a wonderful story that many could learn from. Very appropriate for middle/high school.

Example #3 media type="youtube" key="n_XAtOkqq9U" height="385" width="480" Jen Gandee - This was so entertaining and I would think it would motivate your students for their project.
 * Example #3 ** This particular example of digital storytelling is fun and uses the animation kids love. I thought it was particularly creative and it's content was something my 8th graders could identify with. This is one example I thought my students could model theirs after when I assign the project next year.


 * MORE DIGITAL STORYTELLING:

Japanese Interment in the USA I felt this deserved inclusion in light of the political climate today. Although Japanese-Americans weren't immigrants, they were treated as enemy outsiders. It poses, yet again, the social justice question: "who is really an American?" and challenges us to think deeply. -- Susan Andrews **

CHRIS COOPER : The audio sound effects at the beginning were a nice touch. They added a "World War II feel" to the maps.
 * J enny Craig : **This is content we cover in our 8th grade History curriculum. I will definitely suggest this story experience to the history teacher on my team.

Circus Arts Club Promo (student film) This college-produced video shows off student juggling skills in a quick video production, a savvy promo to recruit members to their clubhe. It's useful to help start the brainstorming process for students when a new project is being proposed. (It also features my son, a group founder) -- Susan Andrews

- This really helps students see how they can persuade people or show something in a positive light. Very talented kids!