Digital Stories: Voices for Local Social Change
Created byRyan Baxter
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Digital Stories: Voices for Local Social Change

Adult EducationEnglishSocial StudiesTechnology10 days
This project empowers adult education students to create digital stories advocating for social change within their community. Students research local issues, conduct stakeholder interviews, and develop compelling narratives using multimedia tools. They then present their stories to community groups, fostering dialogue and promoting action around these important issues. The project develops skills in storytelling, technology, and community engagement, encouraging students to become active agents of change.
Digital StorytellingSocial ChangeCommunity EngagementMultimediaAdvocacyAdult Education
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How might we use digital storytelling to ignite dialogue and action around pressing social issues within our community?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How can digital storytelling be used to advocate for social change in our community?
  • What are the key elements of a compelling digital story that resonates with a specific audience?
  • How can we use technology to amplify marginalized voices and promote social justice?
  • How can storytelling help foster empathy and understanding around complex social issues?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will create compelling digital stories that advocate for social change.
  • Students will present digital stories to community groups to foster dialogue.
  • Students will develop skills in storytelling, presentation, and technology for social advocacy.

Common Core Standards

SL.CCR.4
Primary
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.Reason: Directly supports the creation and delivery of presentations.
SL.CCR.1
Primary
Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.Reason: Focuses on engaging in conversations on complex topics.
W.CCR.3
Primary
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.Reason: Supports creating original expressions of emotion, experience, and thought through digital storytelling.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Community Voices Media Festival

Host a mini-film festival showcasing existing digital stories about local social issues. Invite community leaders as judges and facilitators for post-screening discussions, sparking immediate interest in the power of storytelling for change.

Empathy Challenge: Walk in Their Shoes

Present participants with a series of anonymous narratives detailing experiences with local social issues. Challenge them to create short digital responses that demonstrate empathy and understanding, emphasizing the emotional impact of storytelling.

Deconstructed Story Analysis

Show a powerful, but flawed, digital story addressing a social issue. Facilitate a critical analysis of its strengths and weaknesses in terms of narrative, visuals, and impact, prompting learners to consider how they can improve upon existing models.

The 'Unheard' Campaign

Present data highlighting underreported or misunderstood social issues in the community. Challenge participants to develop a digital storytelling campaign to amplify these 'unheard' voices and bring greater awareness to these critical topics.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Issue Spotlight: Identifying Local Social Issues

Students begin by identifying and researching a pressing social issue within their community. They will gather preliminary data, interview stakeholders, and define the scope of the issue for their digital story.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm a list of potential social issues affecting your community (e.g., food insecurity, housing shortages, environmental concerns).
2. Choose one issue that resonates with you and that you want to explore further.
3. Conduct preliminary research on the issue using online resources, local news articles, and community reports.
4. Identify and interview at least two stakeholders (e.g., community members affected by the issue, local organizations working on the issue).
5. Write a brief summary of the social issue, including its scope, impact, and potential solutions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed issue brief outlining the chosen social issue, research findings, stakeholder interviews, and a preliminary problem statement.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with SL.CCR.1 by preparing students to engage in conversations on complex topics and contributes to a healthy sense of self by connecting personal passions with community needs.
Activity 2

Narrative Blueprint: Structuring Your Story

Students develop a narrative structure for their digital story, including identifying key characters, plot points, and a compelling message. They will create a storyboard outlining the visual and audio elements of their story.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Define the core message you want to convey through your digital story.
2. Identify the key characters or individuals who will be featured in your story.
3. Develop a plot outline with a clear beginning, middle, and end, highlighting the conflict and resolution related to the social issue.
4. Create a storyboard with sketches or descriptions of the visual elements for each scene of your story.
5. Write a script or narration to accompany the visual elements, ensuring it supports the core message.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed storyboard and script outlining the narrative structure, visual elements, and audio components of their digital story.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with W.CCR.3 by guiding students to write narratives using effective technique and well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences.
Activity 3

Tech Toolkit: Mastering Digital Storytelling Tools

Students receive training on digital storytelling tools and techniques, including video editing, audio recording, and image manipulation. They will practice using these tools to create short multimedia clips for their story.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Attend a training session on video editing software (e.g., iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro).
2. Learn how to record high-quality audio using microphones and recording software.
3. Practice editing video clips, adding transitions, and incorporating visual effects.
4. Explore techniques for enhancing audio quality, such as noise reduction and voice enhancement.
5. Create a series of short multimedia clips that demonstrate your proficiency with the digital storytelling tools.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio of multimedia clips showcasing their skills in video editing, audio recording, and image manipulation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity supports the learning goal of developing skills in storytelling, presentation, and technology for social advocacy.
Activity 4

Community Screening: Presenting Your Story

Students present their completed digital stories to community groups, such as local organizations, schools, or community centers. They will facilitate post-screening discussions to gather feedback and promote dialogue around the social issues.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Organize a screening event at a local organization, school, or community center.
2. Prepare a brief introduction to your digital story, explaining the social issue and your creative process.
3. Present your digital story to the audience.
4. Facilitate a post-screening discussion, asking open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and gather feedback.
5. Collect feedback from the audience through surveys or written comments.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA community screening event where students present their digital stories and facilitate discussions on social issues.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with SL.CCR.4 by guiding students to deliver clear and compelling presentations that resonate with their intended audiences and fosters dialogue.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Digital Storytelling for Social Change Rubric

Category 1

Issue Research & Understanding

Demonstrates depth of understanding of the chosen social issue, including its scope, impact, and potential solutions. Assesses the quality of research and stakeholder engagement.
Criterion 1

Issue Identification & Scope

Clarity and depth of understanding of the chosen social issue, including its local context and impact.

Advanced
4 Points

Clearly and comprehensively defines the social issue, providing compelling evidence of its scope and impact on the community. Demonstrates exceptional insight and understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly defines the social issue and explains its scope and impact on the community with supporting evidence.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies the social issue but provides limited detail regarding its scope and impact on the community. Evidence is lacking or superficial.

Not Yet
1 Points

Struggles to clearly identify the social issue and provides minimal information about its scope or impact. Shows little to no understanding.

Criterion 2

Stakeholder Engagement & Research Quality

Quality and relevance of stakeholder interviews and research used to inform the digital story.

Advanced
4 Points

Conducts insightful and impactful interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders, integrating their perspectives seamlessly into the story. Research is thorough, credible, and directly relevant to the issue.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts informative interviews with relevant stakeholders and incorporates their perspectives into the story. Research is credible and supports the understanding of the issue.

Developing
2 Points

Interviews stakeholders but struggles to effectively integrate their perspectives into the story. Research is limited or of questionable credibility.

Not Yet
1 Points

Fails to adequately engage with stakeholders or conduct sufficient research to inform the story. Demonstrates a lack of understanding of research ethics.

Category 2

Narrative Structure & Storytelling

Effectiveness of the narrative structure, character development, and storytelling techniques in conveying a compelling message.
Criterion 1

Narrative Clarity & Message

Clarity of the story's message and the effectiveness of the narrative in conveying that message.

Advanced
4 Points

Crafts a compelling and exceptionally clear narrative with a powerful and memorable message that resonates deeply with the audience. Demonstrates mastery of storytelling techniques.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a clear and engaging narrative with a well-defined message that is effectively conveyed to the audience.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a narrative with a somewhat unclear message, struggling to maintain audience engagement. Storytelling techniques are basic.

Not Yet
1 Points

Presents a confusing and disjointed narrative with a poorly defined message. Fails to engage the audience or utilize effective storytelling techniques.

Criterion 2

Character Development & Emotional Impact

Depth and believability of character development and the story's emotional impact on the audience.

Advanced
4 Points

Creates richly developed and believable characters that evoke strong emotional responses from the audience. Demonstrates exceptional ability to connect with viewers on an emotional level.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops believable characters and creates a meaningful emotional connection with the audience.

Developing
2 Points

Presents characters that are underdeveloped or lack believability. Struggles to create a significant emotional impact on the audience.

Not Yet
1 Points

Presents characters that are superficial and unconvincing, failing to evoke any emotional response from the audience.

Category 3

Technical Skills & Multimedia Integration

Demonstrates proficiency in using digital storytelling tools and integrating multimedia elements to enhance the story.
Criterion 1

Video Editing & Visual Quality

Quality of video editing, use of transitions, and overall visual appeal of the digital story.

Advanced
4 Points

Demonstrates masterful video editing skills with seamless transitions and exceptional visual quality. Enhances the story through creative and innovative use of visual elements.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates strong video editing skills with effective transitions and good visual quality that enhances the story.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic video editing skills, but transitions may be rough or distracting. Visual quality is inconsistent.

Not Yet
1 Points

Demonstrates limited video editing skills with poor transitions and subpar visual quality that detracts from the story.

Criterion 2

Audio Quality & Sound Design

Clarity of audio, effective use of sound effects, and overall sound design to enhance the storytelling.

Advanced
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional audio quality with clear sound and sophisticated sound design that enhances the storytelling and creates a powerful emotional impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates clear audio quality and effective use of sound effects to enhance the storytelling.

Developing
2 Points

Shows inconsistent audio quality with distracting background noise or uneven sound levels. Sound effects are used sparingly or ineffectively.

Not Yet
1 Points

Demonstrates poor audio quality with unclear sound and distracting noises that detract from the story. Sound design is minimal or nonexistent.

Category 4

Community Engagement & Impact

Effectiveness of the community screening event in fostering dialogue and promoting action around the social issue.
Criterion 1

Presentation & Facilitation Skills

Clarity and engagement of the presentation, and the effectiveness of facilitation in promoting audience participation.

Advanced
4 Points

Delivers a captivating presentation and skillfully facilitates a dynamic discussion that inspires audience members to take action. Demonstrates exceptional leadership and communication skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents the digital story clearly and facilitates a productive discussion, encouraging audience participation.

Developing
2 Points

Presents the digital story adequately but struggles to facilitate an engaging discussion or encourage audience participation.

Not Yet
1 Points

Delivers a disorganized presentation and fails to facilitate a meaningful discussion. Struggles to engage the audience or elicit feedback.

Criterion 2

Dialogue & Feedback Integration

Effectiveness in fostering dialogue, gathering feedback, and integrating that feedback into future work.

Advanced
4 Points

Effectively fosters a rich and insightful dialogue, gathering diverse perspectives and actionable feedback. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement by thoughtfully integrating feedback into future work.

Proficient
3 Points

Fosters a productive dialogue, gathers valuable feedback, and demonstrates an understanding of how to use feedback for improvement.

Developing
2 Points

Initiates a dialogue but struggles to gather meaningful feedback. Shows limited understanding of how to use feedback for improvement.

Not Yet
1 Points

Fails to foster a dialogue or gather feedback effectively. Shows no evidence of understanding how to use feedback for improvement.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What was the most impactful moment or realization you experienced while creating your digital story?

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Question 2

To what extent do you believe your digital story will foster dialogue and action around the social issue you addressed?

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Question 3

Which aspect of the digital storytelling process (research, narrative development, technical skills, presentation) did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 4

How has this project influenced your personal growth goals and your sense of contributing to a healthy sense of self, particularly in relation to your passions and community involvement?

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Question 5

If you could do this project again, what would you do differently in terms of your approach to storytelling, technology, or community engagement?

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