Chapter 3 Digital Storytelling as an Educational Tool


In education there always seems to be debate between teachers and administrators on how to teach all the curriculum standards in each subject area in a semester.  In the recent years there is a push to incorporate technology into the classroom in order to prepare students for success in higher education and life.  Jason Ohler in chapter three of, "Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity," discusses the importance of incorporating educational technology standards (ISTE) in the classroom for teachers especially teachers who are nontechnically oriented.   I agree that teachers can use the technology standards (ISTE) to help them create activities in the classroom that can help students learn how to use technology in the classroom.  'The vision guiding these standards is that all students must have the opportunities and resources to the language skills they need to pursue life's goals and to participate fully as informed, productive members of society.' (NCTE, 2006, n.p.)  Jason B. Ohler. Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity (p. 45). Kindle Edition.  Not only do I agree with Ohler that technology standards are important in education, but I think that it is the teachers responsibility to their students to blend technology into the classroom.  Furthermore, in order to get teachers more comfortable incorporating technology in the classroom is through professional development. "Often the most helpful thing a district office can do for teachers is to make sure such professional development is available and encourage and incentivize teachers to use it" Jason B. Ohler. Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity (p. 43). Kindle Edition.  In addition, Ohler argues that it is our job as educators to include as many intelligences as possible when having students create Digital Story Telling in the classroom and I agree with this principle.