Why Vocabulary Digital Storytelling?
First, let me introduce you to Digital Storytelling. "Digital Storytelling (DS), meet classroom teacher. Classroom teacher, meet DS."
DS is not a new concept and has actually been around for over a decade. As technology has improved, so has the ability to make DS an effective tool in almost all disciplines, including teaching.
Digital Storytelling-the art of using technology to tell stories (From Tech4Learning)
If you want to see its effectiveness, watch this clip from a business conference explaining the benefits of Digital Storytelling in marketing. (Only the first 14 minutes or so are applicable to teachers)
How about an educational example?
Now why vocabulary?
The English language is very complex. Read this example to understand what your ELLs encounter in our classrooms:
"Specifically, our research is situated within a new literacies perspective that recognizes that literacy is no longer singular and print bound; instead the iconic and digital demands of the 21st century have opened up literacies that require traversals across print and nonprint-based formats" (Skinner & Hagood, 2008, p. 13)
Huh?
The easiest language for our students to acquire is the language of the everyday. When they encounter the language specific to certain content areas, the academic language, we can easily lose them.
Explicit vocabulary instruction is one of the easiest ways to help bridge the divide BUT it is also one of the hardest to teach effectively and engage the students.
Enter Vocabulary Digital Storytelling!
Combining vocabulary lessons with key academic terms you wish for your students to be responsible for will not only increase engagement but also provide visual and auditory reinforcement. When used effectively, students will be able to retain and use correctly the vocabulary you have taught them.
So...why not?
Other Resources:
Request a Free kit with examples
5 Digital Storytelling iPad Apps
36 Digital Storytelling Sites & Apps
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