MDIA 2336 - Digital Storytelling
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019
This course looks at the development, production, and use of digital stories. Digital story has become an avenue of expression leading to new forms of social networking and a means through which story is re-made for different media. The course examines techniques of story production through a range of digital media which will lead to the development and production of stories by students. The capacity for digital storytelling has developed through the availability of convergent communication technologies, particularly consumer grade technologies such as those in smart phones and tablets. The availability of these technologies has meant that new skills and techniques of writing and producing are necessary which fit with computer screen technologies and other parameters of these new media forms. The subject will cover the relatively short history of this new field of media production, linking it to older forms of story-telling in terms of connection to comparative and indigenous precursors and uses. Building on theory covered in first year core Media courses, this course will cover an analysis of the 'producer' as an autonomous media producer and the development of a computer mediated aesthetics. Theories of narrative form, visuals, sound, music, subjectivity and identity will form part of the course with an examination of forms of collective and political engagement that develop out of digital story. New mainstream genres which grow out of older forms such as the diary or the journal will be discussed. The course has a practical component which will encourage the production of new forms of narrative through exercises and the use of skills developed in class.
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 2336 Course Digital Storytelling Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites MDIA 1002, MDIA 1007 Incompatible MDIA 1006 Assessment 2 x Online module test 10%, Multimedia research essay (1,800 word) 30%, Digital story production 50%, Workshop participation 10% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Kim Barbour
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
There is only one in-person lecture for this course, scheduled for 10am Monday 23 July (Week 1). All students must attend this lecture.
Weekly workshops are compulsory, and your participation is assessed.
Timely completion of the online modules is compulsory, and assessed.
Please note that it is a requirement of entry that students have successfully completed two prerequisites: MDIA1002 Introduction to Media and MDIA1007 Digital Platforms. It is highly recommended that students also complete MDIA1004 Exploring Radio and Television before taking Digital Storytelling.
Additionally, this course is incompatible with successful completion of MDIA1002 Story/Technology: Writing Techniques. -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate developed knowledge of the principles and concepts of framing, sound, composition, visual storytelling, digital storytelling, and culture
2. Demonstrate a sense of aesthetics and skills in communicating through both static and moving images
3. Demonstrate creativity and originality in effectively developing and managing a visual story production
4. Communicate and critique project ideas with classmates in workshop activities, consultations and screenings
5. Demonstrate critical thinking around digital storytelling, online media production, and the social and cultural media environmentUniversity Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Deep discipline knowledge
- informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
- acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
- accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Critical thinking and problem solving
- steeped in research methods and rigor
- based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
- demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
4, 5 Teamwork and communication skills
- developed from, with, and via the SGDE
- honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
- encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
3, 4 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Intercultural and ethical competency
- adept at operating in other cultures
- comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
- able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
- demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
- open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
- able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
There are no textbooks or books of readings that are required to be purchased for this course. All materials will be available for download from MyUni/Canvas, which students will need to access on at least a weekly basis.
Considerable use is made of mobile technologies, particularly the cameras on smart phones, during class time. Where a student does not have access to technologies of this type, loan equipment is available.
Please note that it is a requirement of entry that students have successfully completed two prerequisites: MDIA1002 Introduction to Media and MDIA1007 Digital Platforms. It is highly recommended that students also complete MDIA1004 Exploring Radio and Television before taking Digital Storytelling.
Additionally, this course is incompatible with successful completion of MDIA1002 Story/Technology: Writing Techniques.Recommended Resources
Membership of the South Australia Libraries network (free for all residents of SA including international students) is strongly encouraged to enable students to access Lynda.comOnline Learning
Online modules will provide the bulk of the theoretical material in the course. Following a flipped classroom model, students will prepare for the practical classes by completing the fortnightly modules prior to attending in person. With a mix between recorded presentations by the course co-ordinator, use of online video, and directions to complete parts of the set readings, the online modules will cater to a range of learning styles and speeds. This will allow students to proceed at their own pace through the modules, and engage in self-directed learning. Modules will be made available on a fortnightly basis in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10.
In addition, the use of an ePortfolio system to collect in-class activities will allow students to maintain a record of their own practical learning and development, while also providing a platform for the submission of their final assessment.
MyUni will host the online modules, readings, help sheets, and be used for contacting students through the announcements function.
Lynda.com, an online skills training platform run by LinkedIn, will also be utilised to allow students to extend their practical learning outside of the classroom by using the online tutorials. Students will need to join their local library (for free) to take advantage of the included Lynda access. When students successfully complete Lynda training, they can include the confirmation badge on their LinkedIn page, which will be useful to inform potential employers of their skills when job-searching, as well as maintaining an external record of their progress. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course uses three teaching modes.
In week one, the whole class meets for a one-off orientation lecture.
In weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, online modules will be released for students to work through in their own time. These modules need to be completed prior to the workshops.
From week 2, weekly workshops will provide the practical and group work components of the course, allowing for the development of production skills for the digital storytelling environment along with critical class discussion and activities about key theoretical concepts.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS 1 x 1 hour lecture 1 hour per semester 5 x 2 hour online module 10 hours per semester 10 x 2 hour workshop/tutorial 20 hours per semester 2 hours reading per week 48 hours per semester 3 hours research per week 36 hour per semester 3 hours assignment prep per week 36 hours per semester 1 hour online module reflection 5 hours per semester
Learning Activities Summary
WEEK LECTURE TOPIC 1 Course orientation, introduction to digital storytelling 2 How stories work, and how they inform our lives 3 4 Technologies for digital storytelling: software, hardware, film-making techniques, sound and music 5 6 Case studies – digital storytelling in practice: education, marketing, journalism 7 8 Digital storytelling in a global media environment 9 10 Giving voice to ourselves 11 12 Digital storytelling futures Small Group Discovery Experience
Workshops are designed around small group work. Students will work cooperatively to respond to course content, producing media objects and/or engaging in research led discussion around key issues. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Weighting Course Learning Outcomes Online module tests 5 x 2% (10% total) 1, 2, 5 1800 word multimedia research essay 30% 1, 2, 5 Digital story production 50% 1, 2, 3 Workshop participation 10% 4 Assessment Related Requirements
Attendance is compulsory at workshop/tutorials and in the introductory lecture in week 1. All assessments must be attempted in order to be eligible to pass the course.Assessment Detail
Online Module tests
Online multichoice tests based on the key concepts explored in online modules, available after completion of each module. Total weighting 10%
1800 word multimedia research essay
Students to research and write 1800 word essay based around theoretical concepts explored in the initial lecture and first two online modules. Students required to read widely of academic literature, and also make informed and critical use of alternate forms of knowledge production, such as podcasts, blogs, and online talks. The essay itself is a digital object, with embedded video, images, and links. Total weighting 30%
Digital story production
Students will write and produce a short (2-3 minute) digital story, submitting for assessment their planning and production documents along with the final object. Total weighting 50%
Workshop participation
Students to engage with workshop/tutorial tasks, and maintain record of progress and achievement via ePortfolio system which will be used to determine grade. Total weighting 10%Submission
Assessments will be submitted using the MyUni online assignment submission system.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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