Annotated Bibilography

Effects of Writing for Digital Storytelling on Writing Self-Efficacy and Flow in Virtural Worlds

Citation:

Xu, Y. & Ahn, J. (2010). Effects of Writing for Digital Storytelling on Writing Self-Efficacy and Flow in Virtual Worlds. In D. Gibson & B. Dodge (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 (pp. 2118-2125). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
PDF | Article

Summary of Topic

This study was an exploratory research project that engages mid-western America college students to use digital storytelling as a means to build their e-Portfolio.  The researchers want to see if digital storytelling can be used for effective communication, enhanced self-efficacy and the improvement of digital literacy skills.

Research Questions

Does digital storytelling…

…enhance students’ self-efficacy?

…improve students’ knowledge and use of multimedia technology tools?

… enhancing language literacy, visual literacy, and media literacy?

…help balance traditional methods and new teaching approaches with technology?

How does digital storytelling help college students in teacher education programs meet up-to-date educational technology standards?

Methods

This research was conducted during two semesters and involved 20 volunteer students from the teacher preparation program.  A total of six workshops were offered each focusing on the different steps of digital story composition.  The students were asked to create a story about their professional issues, understanding and beliefs as future teachers.  For data collection and analysis, a mixed method approach was used.  Records of progress, online discussions, artifacts of student work and interviews and questionnaires with students were collected for the analysis.

Findings

This article only reports the findings of the questionnaire scores.  It is very apparent through the tables that there was a marked improvement in educational knowledge base, general technology skills, educational technology integration and multimedia applications.

Conclusions/Implications

This study showed that digital storytelling is an effective approach in teacher preparation programs and can be a useful tool in the enhancement of teaching and learning new literacies in today’s technology rich world.  Some issues to be explored further include balancing the traditional and new teaching approaches, educational portfolios, language, visual and media literacy and technology standards for education.