Sharing life stories: Design and evaluation of a digital storytelling workshop for older adults

Abstract

This chapter presents the design and evaluation of a digital storytelling workshop for older adults held across multiple workshop iterations and examines the adjustments made across these iterations. Adjustments to the design were made prior to the second and the third iteration to accommodate the needs of the learners. Results from older adult participants’ evaluations of three iterations of the workshop, involving seven different workshop groups, are also presented. Researchers found that the facilitation approach and socially supportive environment were important to the digital learning experience and were seen as benefits that workshop participants appreciated. Furthermore, participants reported increased digital storytelling skills and, to a lesser degree, other computer and internet skills. Additionally, participants reported enjoying the contribution of others, sharing stories with each other, and being able to learn something new. The main challenge reported by participants was the lack of sufficient time provided in the workshop.