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Digital Storytelling Workspace

We all have stories to tell.  Through the process of telling a thoughtful story about a personal experience, we can uncover new meaning in our pasts, meaning that helps shape the course of our futures.

The OIE believes that international education is a process, one that continues long after you have returned from abroad. If you have studied abroad, you have a thousand stories to tell about your experience, not to mention countless photos. In the spirit of helping you find your story and craft meaning out of your experience, the OIE has established a Digital Storytelling Workspace.

The Workspace is located in the OIE and is run by Nicole Hubbell King, Program Manager.

What is a digital story?

As defined by the Center for Digital Storytelling, a digital story is "a short, first person video-narrative created by combining recorded voice, still and moving images, and music or other sounds."  Typically, they are 2-3 minutes in length and are created using a video editing software program such as iMovie.

How do I make a digital story?

There are four components to creating a digital story:

  1. 7 Steps of Digital Storytelling - During this one-hour lesson, you will learn about the 7 steps to creating a digital story and view examples.  The example stories serve as talking points to analyze each element and consider options for your own digital story.
  2. Story Circle - The story circle is when everyone shares their ideas or scripts for their digital story, depending on where they are at in the process, and receives feedback from the group.  
  3. iMovie Tutorial - If you are unfamiliar with iMovie '11, this hour-long session will provide you with the tools you need to operate the program and successfully create your own digital story.
  4. Lab Hours - After you have learned the steps to creating a digital story, received feedback on your script, and learned how to use iMovie, you are ready to get to work!  Open lab hours are times when you can come to the I-House, use one of the office MacBooks, if needed, and receive help and support as you create your story.  Lab hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-Noon and Fridays from 9am-1pm.

The Digital Storytelling Workspace is equipped with 6 MacBooks, all available for student use.  If you already have a Mac and wish to work on your own laptop, you are welcome to do so. 

Upcoming DS Workspace Schedule

Fall quarter dates will be posted soon.  Please check back!

Digital Story Gallery

To see examples of digital stories created by DU study abroad returnees, click on the following links: 

Stories from open workshops                             Stories from Project Bosnia 2011
Stephanie in Chile Bonnie Leko-Shapiro
Natalie in South Africa Kyra Moon
Marlena in Dharamsala, India Ann Petrila
Ally in Germany   Kristi Roybal
Kristen in Italy Alex Wald
Heather in Bosnia  
Amy in England Stories from Project Dharamsala 2011       
Emilie in Paris Emily Kornhauser
  Siena Pinney
  Matthew Wotwood