ELL+and+Digital+Storytelling

=**Digital Storytelling and Language Learning**=

//Martha Peña-Parr//
=The Internet use in second and foreign language learning has brought enormous advantages, but it also carries some disadvantages for both teachers and students.= =In technology digital storytelling offers an extra tool to use in teaching a second language. Digital storytelling provides a wide variety of useful, creative, and motivating strategies that can assist language instructors to promote and build language proficiency. In programs such as Animoto, OneTrue Media or Photo Story students can review new vocabulary, new concepts, and create short stories. Students can bring their own family pictures to talk about their family and culture. Students can also create short animated movies with colorful characters and cartoon style dialogues. They can do this by using Voki avatars in their digital stories. For example, students can create a Voki character as the main character in their digital stories.= =The internet and digital storytelling play a significant role for all ELL and foreign language learners in a variety of ways, especially in speaking, reading, writing and listening which are all the four basic language skills.= =Some potential barriers for both language learners and teachers are the inequity issue in Internet accessibility. Another is the lack of experience and computer training for both teachers and language learners. All of these barriers can easily lead to a greater anxiety issues not only for the teachers but for the language learners as well.= =In order for students to take advantage of storytelling through digital stories they need to have the opportunity of accessibility, experience and familiarity with all the technological functions and in an educational language environment. Without the teacher’s direction digital storytelling becomes just another tool and it is not productive for language learning.= = = =Aydin, S. (2007) The Use of the Internet in ESL Learning:Problems, Advantages and Disadvantages.= =[]= = = =(2007) Literacy through Technology: The Powerof Digital Storytelling= =[]=

Martha, good ideas Maybe something like Digital Storytelling could be used inscience as well for submitting research on a scientist or scientific phenomenon.Not only could ESL students benefit, but a lot of my students with disabilities.I have a very large number of ESL students that would not qualify for services,but definately do not have a very good handle on the English language. I lovethis idea. Thanks for the insight. Linda Trotti =‍‍Digital Storytelling= =include component="tagCloud" ‍‍=