This semester, I’ve been working on a digital storytelling pilot project with the staff at Texas Tech University’s Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center, Communication Training Center, and Office of the Provost. My work on this pilot project is specific to one class in TTU’s Spanish Heritage Language Program. The class is led by Josh Prada and the program is administered by Dr. Idoia Elola. Here is a digital story she recently produced (video opens in a new window):

I had my first of two visits to that class yesterday, and talked with students about making and selecting photographs they will eventually use in digital stories they produce this term. Even though this first visit was via Skype, I had a GREAT time and loved seeing the students so engaged in looking at and talking about photographs.

In about 70 minutes, students learned the basics in how to read photographs; discussed how photographs can be used to document their lives and communicate their own, personal narratives; and got a primer on some key photo skills, like framing and pre-visualization. We even had some time to talk about some great photography apps for smartphones. (I recommend looking into Snapseed, Photo Editor by Aviary, and Google’s Photoscan.)

Thanks to Ching Lee and his beautiful photographs of the class session, I was able to see and gauge student engagement a lot better just after the class ended.

I’m looking forward to visiting Texas Tech in a few weeks, meeting these students in person, and leading them in a discussion of the photographs they’ve produced for their digital stories.