NSW K-6 Syllabus
So how can Digital Storytelling be incorporated within the K-6 NSW Primary Syllabi? With some creativity, digital storytelling could easily encompass sections of each of the Key Learning Areas. Within English it could centre on the writing of the script as well as putting together the elements of a story including plot and relation to audience. Mathematics investigates the use of time as well as general organizing such as how many clips etc. HSIE and PDH/PE utilizes research skills as well as relating to digital storytelling as a personal journey. Science and Technology looks at creating a project to meet audience’s needs while using new technology and effective planning skills. The creative arts emerge through the use of music, narration and still photos. Within Catholic schools this task can also encompass the love God has for the individual, spiritual journeys or people of importance to the Catholic Church.
For a deeper analysis and breakdown, please see the PDF file attached. digital_storytelling_syllabus.pdf
Assessment
Syllabus outcomes are not effective without appropriate assessment techniques. The way the task is organised will generally dictate how to assess, yet there are two key options: Summative assessment which looks at the overall product when the story is completed or formative assessment which investigates the processes and decision making, development of skills, group work and cultivation of ideas. The Websites provided have some quality examples:
Some forms of assessment may include
- Work Samples
- Journals or reflections- http://www.informationeconomy.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/4628/Digital_Storytelling_Storyboard.pdf
- Rubrics – http://www.umass.edu/wmwp/DigitalStorytelling/Rubric%20Assessment.htm and http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI08167B.pdf page 12
- Self-evaluation – http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/PDFs/Rubrics/digstorysample.pdf
- Peer Assessment – http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI08167B.pdf Page 14.
- Interviews
- Discussions
- Questioning
- Observation – http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/PDFs/Rubrics/digstorysample.pdf
- Checklists. – http://www.informationeconomy.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/4627/Digital_Storytelling_Checklist.pdf
Some of the processes that may be assessed within Digital Storytelling include:
- The overall design of the digital story
- Quality of Group work
- The Script or overall narrative
- Quality of Voice Overs
- Choice of Music
- Choice of images
- Use of Special Effects
- The Overall Project
- Viewing Digital Stories of other people
- Values and Attitudes toward the task.
