Reading and Discussion 9

“Digital storytelling can be a powerful tool for engaging urban youth in discourse about identity, but only if the environment allows them to bring in elements that may initially not be seen as fitting” (Avila & Pandya, 2013, p.57).   

This quote is a very powerful statement that expands upon how digital storytelling is a wonderful opportunity but also a large shift from the traditional educational settings. I selected this quote because it explains how as educators we should engage in digital storytelling, but also change our mindset as to what is expected in “everyday” classroom conversations. Teachers need to be aware that this tool can bring up controversial issues and opinions, but they should not just disallow the topic. The children are selecting these topics for a specific reason, and that is because they are exposed to the subject often. We should allow them to discuss these issues through digital storytelling. 

I found this video on YouTube. It was one of the first videos I saw, so I kept moving along searching for others. However, this one stayed in the back of my mind. It is a powerful digital story about racism and how “Americans come from all over the World.” It explains racism through the years with very disturbing pictures. I felt that it was a wonderful representation of how racism needs to be eliminated, therefore I had to select this video! It strongly aligned with the reading in chapter three, because it discussed topics that traditionally would not be brought up in an educational setting. However, it discussed a topic that was no doubt important to the creator, and allowed her to vividly explain her thoughts and feelings. 

Resources:

Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc

Dalley, L. (Producer) (2010, April 26). Racism digital story by lanette dalley. [Video podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-06Jm9AFRpE