DSM4313 - Digital Storytelling

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 - Create digital narratives including various forms of media;
2 - Choose platforms for digital narratives based on audience, media and features of the platforms;
3 - Plan, proto-type and playtest digital narrative projects; and,
4 - Design in and allow for audience agency in narrative storytelling.

Content:

This module provides instruction in, and analysis of, different types and methods of creating and interacting with digital narratives. You learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different digital narrative formats, their publishing platforms and their application for storytelling in both fiction and non-fiction forms.

To consolidate and test your learning you play, create and co-create digital narratives. You will see two small projects through from inception, pitching and planning through to prototyping, playtesting and delivery, one individual project and one group project.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Each week students will experience one or more narratives as individuals or in groups to develop their experience of different digital narratives and modes and platforms of delivery.

There will be a workshop each week in which the learning is project-based - involving online and other digital tools for narrative design and planning, as well as authoring.

Students will work in pairs and groups in class to discuss ideas, share experiences and respond creatively to classroom briefs.

Where possible, you will work with live briefs – such as induction games, group-building games and exploring writing characters and story arcs for specific genres.

Screenings will form part of the weekly sessions and allow students to analyse and discuss varied approaches to storytelling across a range of media platforms.



Workshops
Hours: 80
Intended Group Size: 15-20

Screenings
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 15-20

Guided independent study
Hours: 200



Further Details Relating to Assessment
Collaborative Writing This is a piece of collaborative writing to demonstrate theoretical and practical understanding of the principles of storytelling and the ability to work in a group to see a project through from start to finish.

Individual Artefact This is a sustained branching narrative, demonstrating the ability to design stories and to select and deploy appropriate storytelling techniques to achieve specific user-experiences for participating audiences. This could be presented as audio, video, text or mixed media.

In classes, formative assessment serves to bolster the skills essential for module completion and success. This includes engaging in practical computer lab workshops, undertaking design, and modelling tasks, delivering case study presentations, writing essays, completing short quizzes and conducting specific investigation tasks. The provision of formative feedback is integrated seamlessly into class sessions, ensuring an ongoing and iterative process to enhance learning outcomes. This will provide ample opportunities for feedback and feed forward to students before their assignments.

Full details are contained within the Module Handbook.

Assessment:

001 Collaborative Writing (Group); 1000 words each or equiv; End of Sem 1 40%
002 Individual Artefact; 2000 words; End Sem 2 60%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Richard Greatrex
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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