ESL+and+Digital+Storytelling

=Digital Storytelling for ESL/Language Learning=

Definition and Accessibility
Traditional literacy instruction focuses on five big areas: decoding through phonemic awareness and phonics skills, fluency, vocabulary, and ultimately, comprehension. Writing is an important part of literacy. Students demonstrate their understanding of the English language to form opinions, tell facts, or describe their experiences. Digital Storytelling is a digital tool to help ordinary people tell their own "true stories" in a compelling and emotionally engaging form. They are usually short (less than 8 minutes) and can be interactive. Digital storytelling builds on the principals of traditional literacy instruction. By incorporating student experiences, interests outside of school, and a sense of audience, children find themselves motivated to learn through digital media. These characteristics of digital storytelling can be building blocks for an English Language Learner. Teachers today know that students need more than just traditional literacy instruction; they also must acquire new literacy skills to be successful in the 21st century. The Partnership of 21st Century Skills describes these as core subject knowledge, learning and innovation skills, life skills, and information, media, and technology skills.

Teachers can use digital storytelling as a teaching tool in the classroom. An English Language Learner's barrier to using this tool is her or her limited knowledge of the English language. Students learning a new language are often reluctant to speak in front of large audiences and sometimes become frustrated when they can not find the words to express their feelings in their new language. Digital storytelling begins with planning a storyboard of images or videos, along with what the author wants to say. This is the perfect opportunity for students to work with a peer or a teacher to make sure everything the student wants to communicate translates clearly in English. The use of translation websites with back translation allow students to hear the correct pronunciation of English. Once students are ready to create, they can use a program like PhotoStory, Voice Thread, or Movie Maker (to name a few). Students can take time crafting their stories and practice recording and rerecording as needed. Through the incorporation of visuals, students can better communicate their ideas. Digital storytelling will encourage students to practice 21st century skills, engage in active learning, and practice the new language they are trying to learn, all while participating in the writing process.

In addition to helping with vocabulary and grammar, digital stories can be a source of communication between student and teacher. Because several languages are represented within an ESL classroom, students can use visual images to learn about classmates and share personal stories. This will, hopefully breakdown the communication barrier between the students and have them feel comfortable around each other. By creating and presenting the projects, students will hopefully build self-confidence and expression skills. Other skills that will be practiced are speaking in a variety of tenses (past, present, and future). Students will also learn how to organize and communicate effectively with others as well as improve fluency.

Classroom Uses
Using Photo Story 3 as a show and tell method can allow students to learn new vocabulary. Children can search the internet for photos to place in their photo story and use both words to describe the picture. For example, if they are using a picture of a cat they can use both words, "Cat" and "Gato". They will record their voices in both languages narrating what the pictures are showing. By finding pictures off the internet or importing their own photos, ESL students can also create a picture dictionary using Digital Storytelling. They can incorporate what language they are trying to learn and also their native language. When their project is complete they can share with the class their dictionary they created and also use it as a study aid to help learn the new language.

Digital Storytelling can also be used to focus on a specific topic and contain particular points of view. "These topics can range from personal tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one's own community to the search for life in other corners of the universe. ESL students can develop a digital story and share with the class their culture, their countries beliefs and the environment in which they come. What a fun way to learn a new language!

SOURCES:
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[|http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com]

@http://esltechies.com/tag/english-language-learners/

@http://www.readingmatrix.com/articles/skinner_hagood/article.pdf

@http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=119