Instructor Toolkit: Create a Digital Assignment

Digital Storytelling combines sounds, images and video to create stories and share a perspective. Students develop an idea, research, write scripts, gather/create media, record/edit/combine audio within WeVideo. Students can use stock images/video, or edit their own footage to combine with library images.  

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced  

Suggested length: 2-5 minutes. 

Weighting: 20%-30% 

Best for

• Reflection
• Concept overview
• Essay
• Research process documentation

Limitations

• Scaling the project so that it isn’t too big or too small. 
• Creating a project that recognizes and provides options for inequitable access to technology. 

Sample learning outcomes 

• Communicate the main argument and methods of your thesis.  
• Construct a story that presents one perspective of an historical event. 

Key creative steps 

• Topic and brainstorm 
• Storyboard/outline your ideas 
• Pitch and feedback 
• Finding and creating appropriate images/videos/sound effects/music 
• Draft script 
• Peer feedback/story circle 
• Revise script 
• Using WeVideo software 
• Using Audacity software 
• Publishing & Accessibility (AODA) 
• Final submission/classroom film fest 
• Reflection on the experience 

Video editors

There are a number of free video editors available to use, including:

• iMovie: a beginner level tool and free on all Mac computers
• WeVideo: a web-based video editor with a free account option that allows students to create one 5 minute video per month. 
• ShotCut: an open source video editor available for Mac and PC.

Audio recording and editing 

The Media Studio recommends that students use whatever tool they are familiar with or have access to record and edit their audio. If students do not have experience with a specific tool, here are some suggestions and tools that the media studio supports: 

• Audacity: This tool is open source, and is available for both PC and Mac. The library has a number of resources available, including a help guide and tutorial. Because it is open source, there are also many help videos available on YouTube. 
• GarageBand: This tool is freely available on all Mac computers. The library has a help guide available on how to get started with GarageBand.