Effectiveness of Digital Storytelling on Cultural Awareness

Abstract

Digital storytelling refers to a wide variety of concepts from interactive digital narratives to computer game narratives, from web-based dramas to digital filmmaking tools. The digital storytelling approach provides students with an environment in which they can actively use technology as participatory designers in the process of creating messages regarding their thoughts. This research aims to reveal the effectiveness of digital storytelling practice to increase the motivation in the instructional environment, to raise awareness through teaching elementary school students some cultural values and to affect effective use of technology in elementary schools. The participants of the study were chosen among the elementary school students in the city of Eskisehir. In the study, the criterion for determining the participants was taking the course of “Digital Storytelling” found in the Education Program for Talented Students (EPTS). At the end of the digital storytelling process, many of the students expressed that being active participant in the design process and using their own products were exciting and pleasing and encourage them to interest on cultural themes through awareness.