The Storytelling Process Continues

I just finished a workshop at the DuPage Regional Office of Education in Lombard, and had an opportunity to work with a great group of people. Each one completed a digital story, although many had their doubts that they would finish on time. Almost to a person, they saw the power and potential of the digital storytelling process to give students a voice, to create a compelling product, and create a competitive voice. Many of the movies they produced dealt with loss, and with their colleagues from Mt. Vernon with whom I worked several weeks ago, all dealt with a very deep and personal story. That's the power. Emotion. And I think any time we work with kids in the affective domain, we can really tap into engagement, and any time we do that, we have a great potential to create a meaningful learning experience. Additionally, when you watch the digital stories they created, you hear the beautiful writing. As was obvious, the genesis of any exceptional digital story lies in high-quality writing, something we worked on for two days (and they worked at home even more). So that's how we justify (as if we really need to but we do) to those who are skeptical about the process having value (that statement is almost laughable to those who have worked with students and digital storytelling) in the days of standards-based education...

The week would not have been as big as success as it was without the significant contributions of a educator and man I stand in awe of everytime I see him work and tell stories. Matt Formato has taught English at Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove, Illinois and led the participants through the narrative and script preparation. So, here's to master writer and master storyteller, Matt Formato!