Digital storytelling in the language arts classroom

Abstract

The aim of this study is to define the role of digital storytelling in improving writing skills. The study was designed as an action research. The study sample consisted of 22 fourth grade students in a public elementary school in Eskişehir, Turkey. Data were collected in 2017-2018 fall term through full participant observation, researcher’s diaries, students’ diaries, student digital processing products and video recordings. The learning materials were developed by the researchers based on the enriching texts and in-class action plans were designed based on the steps of digital storytelling. Data collected with researcher’s diaries, observations, video recordings and documents were analyzed using content analysis. The results showed that digital story writing studies could be very effective in developing the writing skills of elementary school fourth grade students. Also, the digital story writing activities improved the students’ computer literacy as well as their attitudes and motivation towards writing. Particularly, integration of technology in writing activities let the students see the course as a more modern, innovative and attractive course.