Digital Storytelling Institute

“There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.” ―Ursula K. LeGuin

The Digital Storytelling Institute is a new initiative designed to provide instructors with perspectives on the role that digital storytelling plays in teaching, professional research and social media. The Delphi Center is pleased to partner with the Digital Transformation Center to co-sponsor the Institute with funding provided by Adobe for digital literacy initiatives.

In this two-day workshop, participants will learn about digital storytelling. Participants will also create their own multimedia story and begin drafting activities and assignments for integrating storytelling into a class with the purpose of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Participants who complete the Digital Storytelling Institute will receive a $250 stipend. Anyone who completed the Institute and teaches a class during the 2023-2024 academic year with a digital storytelling assignment will receive an additional $250 stipend.

Attendees can expect to:

• Explore how digital storytelling is utilized in various academic fields for teaching and research.
• Explore the uses of digital storytelling to illuminate issues of equity, inclusion and diversity for individuals and groups.
• Discuss the legal and ethical issues associated with creating and publishing media online, including copyright, attribution and participant permissions.
• Discover ways to use digital storytelling assignments to engage students in challenging and complex issues in your discipline.
• Practice the basics of producing digital stories in several modalities, including web pages, podcasts and videos.

Reading materials will be provided prior to the Institute to prepare attendees for discussion and interaction with peers and facilitators. Each day of the Institute will include content presentations, group discussions, small group activities, instructor-led software tutorials and individual work time. Those who attend will be provided computer and studio access to support the creation of draft digital stories, but everyone is welcome to bring their own devices.

Participants will leave the Institute with:

• A draft digital story in video format, along with other multimedia products.
• Assignment prompts and activities for a digital storytelling assignment in their discipline.
• Resources supporting the creation of digital storytelling products to enhance and further research activities.

Following the workshop, participants will each create a digital storytelling project relevant to their discipline with a connection to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, at the University, and/or as part of our local and global community. Post-institute support will be available online through Teams and in-person in the Digital Media Suite.