Digital+Story+Telling

Session Description:
“Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Throughout history, storytelling has been used to share knowledge, wisdom, and values. Stories have taken many different forms. Stories have been adapted to each successive medium that has emerged, from the circle of the campfire to the silver screen, and now the computer screen.” – The Digital Storytelling Association

Digital Storytelling weaves images, music, and narrative together to form powerful expressions of understanding. This workshop will feature free tools and simple techniques for incorporating digital storytelling into any content area at any grade level. Beginning with the fundamental components of storytelling (Elements, Media, Process, and Programs), participants will progress through the elements of a good story (Point of View, Dramatic Question, Emotional Content, Voice, Soundtrack, Economy, Pacing) and then begin construction a story of their own for use in the classroom:

You will learn 1. The seven elements of digital storytelling and how to use them effectively to teach course content and skills 2. How to locate, create, and incorporate images, audio, and video into a digital story 3. How to utilize a variety of free, simple, and developmentally appropriate tools for constructing digital stories

Presenter Bio: Patrick Woessner, St. Louis, MO
Patrick Woessner is a middle school educator with nearly 20 years of experience in public and independent schools. A Minnesota native (and U of MN graduate), he began his teaching career in New Zealand, migrated to Texas, and then moved to St. Louis in 1994 to teach at [|MICDS]. After serving as the Science Department Chair for eight years, he assumed his current position as the Middle School Coordinator of Instructional Technology in 2002 after completing his MAT in Educational Technology at Webster University. Patrick has presented at numerous conferences, including the National Science Teacher’s Association, Midwest Educational Technology Conference, and Lausanne Laptop Institute, been featured in publications including ASCD Express and the MacArthur Foundation’s Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning, and currently serves as a online book reviewer for Stenhouse Publishing and public relations chair for the K12 Online Conference. He shares his insight on all things education-related at his blog, Technology in the Middle.