Cats? Digital Storytelling? Am I in Heaven?

Hello, folks! It's been ages since I last posted here. How are you doing? My midterm week is over and I'm relieved. It's time to relax! So again I'm here to share an outlandish experience: creating a Digital Storytelling! I worked with Ömre, in this project.

What is Digital Storytelling?

Digital storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. Digital storytelling is a very popular tool in educational technology as it enables the learners to engage in the learning process actively. 

Digital storytelling is very effective in triggering critical thinking and it is highly appreciated by constructivists.

You can learn more about digital storytelling from here and here.

How did we prepare a digital story?

We were assigned to prepare a digital storytelling out of three options:

• A video about being best friends
• A "How to" Video
• A fictional story

We chose to prepare a "how to" video, because it sounded like fun, and it turned out to be true. We wanted to make an enchanting video, not a boring "How to Cook" one. We love and adore cats, so we think "Why not make a video about cats?" 

Ömre has a cat called Bahri, a handsome tabby. We decided to shoot videos of Bahri. He is a playful and at the same time a noble cat. 

We searched about how we should do it and watched a lot of cat videos on Youtube. By the help of Wikihow, we prepared an outline and a transcription of our narratives. We adapted  the steps to the videos so that it wouldn't be longer than 2 minutes.

• Ömre recorded Bahri
• Ömre edited the videos in iMovie and I prepared a Story Board on Paint.
• We recorded the narrative in GarageBand.
• We chose the sound effects to add and found them on Youtube.
• We added the necessary effects in Movie Maker.
• We uploaded our video on Youtube.

Here is a photo of preparing stages:

Here is the story board I made on Paint, excuse my lack of talent in drawing:

Our Digital Storytelling: How To Pet Your Cat

Speakers: Meryem Ömre Akyüz & Elifnur Dayıoğlu

The Transcription:

Warning: This video contains high level of cuteness. 

How To Pet Your Cat  

Some people have difficulty in petting their cats. This video explains basic steps of petting a cat. 

The first step is letting the cat come to you.

• In order to make the cat feel comfortable, you should let it sniff you.

• Wait for the cat to bump its head against you. If you’re busy to pet the cat, never ignore the cat! NEVER!

• Pet it to make sure that the cat knows you care for it.

• Pet the cat whenever it lies down on you.

• It’s important to watch the signs that the cat doesn’t want to be petted anymore. Otherwise, things can get a bit scratchy!

The second step is focusing the areas with scent glands.Your cat’s scent glands are located in its mouth and on the sides of its head, the pads of its front paws, and its tail.

• You can scratch the areas between or behind the ears.

• You should pet the cat from forehead to tail. Don’t change the direction!

• You can scratch its chin softly.

• You can stratch the cheeks behind the whiskers.

• And you should love the cat with the back of your hand.

Starring: Bahri

Thinking about Digital Storytelling on Educational Perspective

In my opinion, Digital Storytelling has so many advantages in ELT department. We can create digital stories with students collaboratively. Especially, when you're new in school, it can help you to develop positive relationships with students. It enhances students' linguistic competence as well as communicative competence. When well planned and prepared, it can achieve a really creative job.

So what you think about our Digital Story? Tell me about your opinions. I'd be glad to hear your comments.

Thank you!