Place-Based Digital Storytelling Modules

Here you will find eleven screencasts (video tutorials) and associated quick-start guides offering hands-on training in place-based digital storytelling. Using themes woven into the film and highlighted in the lesson plans, these modules train teachers how to integrate new media, digital storytelling, and online mapping projects in their curriculum to engage students in authentic learning.

The modules can be used separately or together, letting participants choose the appropriate level of engagement, given available skill level, time, and resources. The hands-on, project based educational materials offer a wonderful opportunity to explore place-based teaching and learning using "easy to integrate" new media tools and techniques.

About the Screen Casts

Tier 1 screencasts require a minimum of time and computing power. This first educast leads you through the easy to follow process of uploading, geo-tagging, and sharing photos on Flickr. You don't need any specific hardware, software, or techie knowledge...just an internet connection and some fabulous photos you or your students would like to share with the wider community.

Tier 2 screencasts offer training in exciting new media tools to better connect people to their place and students to their community. Using free geo-applications, Google Earth and Google Maps, we show you how to create original collective maps, use Google Earth to combine information and multi-media from various sources into "mash-ups" and upload your stories to the national parks story collection and publishing site, Share Your Story.

Tier 3 screencasts detail the process of place-based digital storytelling. You will find hands-on training for recording voice-over, starting the editing process, adding special effects, and publishing, as well as contextual information on why digital storytelling is perfect for 21st century skill building. Simple to follow "how to" videos walk you through each step. We've also included a quick guide one-sheet for each module to refer to while you watch or when you start. With these materials, you'll soon be creating your own digital story and having your students create theirs.

Tier 1: Easy Geo-Tagging

Educast 1: Geo-Tagging Your Photos Using Flickr

These materials show you how to upload and geo-tag your photos to Flickr. Flickr is a free photo-sharing site that facilitates distribution and mapping of photos.

• Geo-Tagging Your Photos Using Flickr (pdf)

Tier 2: Mapping Your Community

Educast 2: Introduction to Geo-Applications

These materials introduce online geo-applications, specifically Google Earth, and explore how these new media tools can help forge a stronger bond between community and place. Google Earth is a powerful mapping and geographic information program full of mashable 3rd-party content. The application can be downloaded for free.

• Introduction to Geo-Applications (pdf)

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Educast 3: Making a Collective Map Using Google Maps

These materials show you how to make, collaborate on, and share with others your own collective map using the free web mapping service Google Maps.

• Making a Collective Map Using Google Maps (pdf)

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Educast 4: Using Share Your Story

These materials demonstrate how to use PBS's National Parks uploading and geo-tagging site, Share Your Story. The Share Your Story tool is an easy way to browse for stories that others have uploaded and to submit your own.

• Share Your Story (pdf)

Tier 3: Place-based Digital Storytelling

Educast 5: Place-Based Digital Storytelling Overview

These materials explain the five-step process for place-based digital storytelling and provide participants with the intellectual and technical skills necessary to independently create and "place" their digital stories. In addition, we've included some of our favorite quotes on why story matters.

• Place-Based Digital Storytelling Overview (pdf)

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Educast 6: Creating Your Voice-Over

These materials demonstrate how to create your voiceover using the freeware program Audacity. In digital storytelling, voice is the strongest tool for creative expression. Tone, timbre, enunciation, volume and speed are the most important components.

• Creating Your Voice-Over (pdf)

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Educast 7: Let's Start Editing!

These materials introduce you to some video editing software options and have you import your source material so you can start editing in Window's Movie Maker.

• Let's Start Editing! (pdf)

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Educast 8: Polishing Your Piece: Adding Transitions and Special Effects

These materials provide some tips and techniques for polishing your digital story by adding transitions and special effects.

• Polishing Your Piece: Adding Transitions and Special Effects (pdf)

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Educast 9: Adding Titles and Credits to Your Digital Story

These materials demonstrate how to add titles and credits to your digital story so as to emphasize the creative intent of your piece.

• Adding Titles And Credits To Your Digital Story (pdf)

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Educast 10: Mixing Audio in Window's Movie Maker

These materials demonstrate how to mix audio tracks in Window's Movie Maker.

• Mixing Audio in Window's Movie Maker (pdf)

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Educast 11: Exporting, Sharing, and Posting Your Digital Story

These materials illustrate the exporting process, and offer suggestions for publishing and distributing your digital story. Be sure to review previous educasts for more details.

• Exporting, Sharing, and Posting Your Digital Story (pdf)

Additional Educator Materials

• Gathering the Media for Your Digital Story (pdf)
• Digital Storytelling Rubric (pdf)
• Peer-Review Evaluation Sheet (pdf)

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