Digital Storytelling Initiative
Overview
Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories with images, text, recorded audio, video clips, animation, illustrations, and/or music. Digital Stories can encompass science communication to the recounting of historical events, oral histories, and personal narratives -- and everything in between.
These are the goals of the Digital Storytelling Initiative:
- To empower faculty to employ digital tools in the classroom in order to engage students and the public
- To provide faculty with an interdisciplinary space where they can think deeply about digital pedagogy and assignment creation
- To encourage faculty to consider the value of storytelling when conveying information and explore the relationship between engagement, entertainment, and education
Unlike traditional forms of scholarly exposition, the creations of digital storytellers often live on the internet and can be accessible to broad audiences outside of the university. This public-facing scholarship can not only encourage student engagement, but provide students with a skill base increasingly valued by employers.
Learn more about how Digital storytelling uses innovative tools to transform the classroom experience.
Examples
Examples of digital stories include:
- video ethnographies
- animated graphic representations of breakthrough scientific research results
- a Tik-Tok breakdown of a complex topic
- narrative podcasts [listen to a student example!]
- interactive timelines about community history
- journalistic features documenting environmental issues
Events & Workshops
The Initiative holds a bi-annual 5-day workshop at the beginning of August. Our next workshop will take place in August 2026.
Upcoming Events:
- Friday, Sep. 20th, 2:30-4:30, LNG 208 -- StoryMaps tutorial.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9th 4-6PM, IASH Room -- Podcasting Workshop with Dr. Anna Williams. This workshop is geared towards those who want to translate their research into a compelling story. Dr. Williams will talk about the techniques she used ideating, planning, and structuring her 5-episode podcast dissertation and lead participants through exercises that can help them think about their research in new ways. Note: this is not an audio-editing workshop.
- Thursday, Oct. 10th 1-2PM, SL209 -- Coffee hour with Dr. Anna Williams.
- Thursday, Oct. 10th 3:30-5:30PM UU111 -- Q&A with Dr. Anna Williams. Dr. Williams will talk about how she learned how to podcast, her experience getting her university to accept a podcast dissertation, and other topics regarding the academy, storytelling, & podcasting. There will be ample time for questions from the audience!
Contact
If you would like to learn more about Digital Storytelling, get feedback on assignment creation, have a question about our events, or just want some help brainstorming, please contact the Digital Storytelling Initiative coordinator, Dr. Chelsea Gibson, chelsea.gibson@binghamton.edu.
