Scoop It Assignment B: Effects of digital literacy and storytelling

 

Digital Storytelling & Transliteracy

 

My Approach: 

 

The idea that digital literacy and technology has changed the way we tell stories is interesting. I started thinking about the history of story. It also challenged my narrow view of literacy and storytelling. 

In my search, I looked at:

• the history of storytelling and transliteracy
• how the digital age has changed the way we tell stories
• the skills needed for modern digital storytelling
• who are we leaving behind in our digital age

I quickly discovered that my prejudices to traditional methods of story - very lineal, often focused on the written story - has narrowed my view of what storytelling really means and its ultimate purpose in communication. It is to make connection.

When I dove deeper into what multi-modality and transliteracy means for storytelling, I realized that the power of digital storytelling is its ability to make strong emotional connection through the interaction creates. The idea that the audience is also the author allows for that real connection.

Digital storytelling allows an immersive experience that brings dimension to the story. Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, done well, the user gets to live the experience and feel the emotions. This is what creates connection.They can feel what it is like to be in the story. They are part of the story.

 

Elements included:

 

When I looked at what elements to include, I wanted to strike a balance between the idea of digital literacy, technology accessibility and advancement, and the need to evolve our critical thinking. Technology is more accessible than ever. Everyone and anyone can be a creator.

It is akin to educating the common person and teaching them to read. There is power in the knowledge. People gain the ability to think and decide for themselves rather than relying on a select few to tell them how to think.

The idea that multi-modality is calling for deeper critical thinking skills and using various parts of the brain is encouraging. I have heard it said that we are losing our ability for critical thinking and problem solving.  Digital storytelling is allowing us to adapt and develop these skills in more concrete ways.

 

What is missing: 

 

This class has been a challenge. It's challenged how I view story. It's challenged how I think critically. It challenged how I viewed my own digital literacy. The way I was taught was very linear. It made me consider what skills I need to develop in order to keep up with the digital age of storytelling.

But it got me thinking: What about those who are older than me? How are they coping? 

I tried to find articles that addressed the need to help older members of society adapt. They certainly have story telling abilities. Our elders gave us tales of how things used to be. They share our histories and our legends. They have done so through the spoke word and through art. But how are we helping them combine the multi-modes of storytelling and the new digital technologies that now go along with them?

I couldn't find anything in my search that addressed these issues. Everything I found focused on the younger generation and equipping them with the skills they need to be successful in the future. Work needs to be done to help linear thinkers and those outside our education system to adapt and change.