New media includes many digital platforms used by teachers and students already: Twitter, Facebook, Vine, YouTube, Instagram, and blogging platforms such as Blogger, Tumblr, and Wordpress. Many are currently used as personal communication tools, but this course focuses on the educational uses of the tools and how to engage students and teachers in their use at school.The question posed in one module is
"How will embracing the role of producer (of new media storytelling) impact your teaching?"I think the biggest result of my becoming a producer of digital storytelling in different formats will be to encourage students to use these types of media in school, because I know they are already using it in their personal lives. They may not think to use it at school, or there may be barriers to using it at school (filters or the reluctance of teachers to accept this format of storytelling). I have students as young as first grade creating videos and posting them on YouTube. These children know how to use these tools, and if they don't know how to use something, they are not afraid to learn.
I look forward to a give and take between teachers and students, learning about tools and how to share information that is well-researched and thought out using new media. Students can teach teachers about the applications and tools, and how to not be afraid to take risks with storytelling. Teachers can teach students about how to tell a good story, how to reach an audience, and how to have high quality content within their storytelling.
