The DNA of Digital Storytelling: A Case Study from a Higher Education LSP Classroom

Ornaith Rodgers; Labhaoise Ní Dhonnchadha

doi:10.4995/eurocall.2023.17232

Authors

Ornaith Rodgers Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4514-4775
Labhaoise Ní Dhonnchadha Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8773-0513

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/eurocall.2023.17232

Keywords:

Digital storytelling, Languages for Specific Purposes, Higher Education

Abstract

This case study is based on a digital storytelling project conducted with first year Biotechnology with French students at National University of Ireland, Galway. Working in small groups, the students created digital stories in French based on forensic cases in which DNA profiling was used. The study was conducted while they were learning about DNA forensics in their mainstream programme. This study provides a practical example of how Digital Storytelling (DST) can be integrated as a teaching and learning tool into the Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) classroom within a higher education context. It highlights the potential of DST to develop students’ language skills within this specialised context and facilitate the acquisition of the transferable skills needed to communicate effectively in an increasingly globalised society.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abderrahim, L. & Gutiérrez-Colón Plana, M. (2021). A theoretical journey from social constructivism to digital storytelling. The EuroCALL Review, 29(1), 38-49. https://doi.org/10.4995/eurocall.2021.12853

Ainsworth, J.A. (2019). LSP in Canadian higher education: what we can learn from program review. Global Advances in Business and Communications Conference & Journal, 8(1), 4. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://commons.emich.edu/gabc/vol8/iss1/4

Anderson, J., Chung, Y, & MacIeroy, V. (2018). Creative and critical approaches to language learning and digital technology: Findings from a multilingual digital storytelling project. Language and Education, 32(3), 195-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2018.1430151

Arnó-Macià, E. (2014). Information technology and languages for specific purposes in the EHEA: options and challenges for the knowledge society. In E. Bárcena, T. Read, & J. Arus (Eds.), Languages for specific purposes in the digital era (3-25). Springer.

Barnett, R. & Coate, K. (2005). Engaging the curriculum in higher education. McGraw-Hill Education.

Bonetto, E., Ennis, M.J., Unterkofler, D. (Eds.). (2020) Teaching languages for specific purposes in higher education. English, Deutsch, Italiano. International Symposium (Bozen-Bolzano, Italy, 29 June 2018).

Breslow, L. (2015). The pedagogy and pleasures of teaching a 21st century skill. European Journal of Education, 50(4), 420-439. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12159

Burgess, J. (2006). Hearing ordinary voices: Cultural studies, vernacular creativity and digital storytelling. Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 20, 201-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304310600641737

Carson, L. (2017). Second language use as a threshold concept: reconceptualising language learning journeys. International Journal of Education, 9(2), 34-43. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v9i2.11315

Castañeda, M. (2013). ‘I am proud that I did it and it’s a piece of me’: Digital storytelling in the foreign language classroom. CALICO Journal, 30(1), 44-62. https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.30.1.44-62

Chambers, A. (1996). LSP theory and second language acquisition. In T. Hickey, & J. Williams (Eds.), Language, education and society. (pp. 232-238). Multilingual Matters.

Chan, B.S., Churchill, D. & Chiu, T.K. (2017). Digital literacy learning in higher education through digital storytelling approach. Journal of International Education Research (JIER), 13(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.19030/jier.v13i1.9907

Chung, S.K. (2006). Digital storytelling in integrated arts education. International Journal of Arts Education, 4, 33-50. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://ed.arte.gov.tw/uploadfile/periodical/1320_arts_education41_033050.pdf

Dudley-Evans, T. & St. John, M.J. (1998). Developments in ESP. A multi-disciplinary approach. Cambridge University Press.

Erstad, O. & Silseth, K. (2008). Agency in digital storytelling. In K. Lundby (Ed.), Digital storytelling, mediatized stories: self-representations in new media (pp. 213-232). Peter Lang.

Federici, T. (2017). Enhancing students’ potential: EBL projects in language teaching. In C. Álvarez-Mayo, A. Gallagher-Brett & F. Michel (Eds.), Innovative language teaching and learning at university: enhancing employability (pp. 89-95).

Haffner, C.A. & Miller, L. (2011). Fostering learning autonomy in English for science: A collaborative digital video project in a technological learning environment. Language Learning & Technology, 15(3), 68-86. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/52231/

Gollin-Kies, S., Hall, D. & Moore, S.H. (2015). Language for specific purposes. Palgrave Macmillan.

Herget, K. (2020). Project-based learning in the languages for specific purposes classroom. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 20(15), 163-168. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://www.proquest.com/docview/2492325280?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true

Huang, Y.Y., Liu, C.C., Want, Y., Tsai, C.C. & Lin, H.M. (2017). Student engagement in long-term collaborative EFL storytelling activities: An analysis of learners with English proficiency differences. Educational Technology & Society, 20(3), 95-109. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Student+engagement+in+long-term+collaborative+EFL+storytelling...-a0501832064

Hull, G.A. & Miller, L. (2005). Locating the semiotic power of multimodality. Written Communication, 22(2), 224-261. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741088304274170

Kuh, G.D. & O’Donnell, K. (2013). Ensuring quality and taking high-impact practices to scale. American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Lambert, J. (2012). Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating community (4th ed.). Digital Diner Press.

Lee, L. (2014a). Digital news stories: Building language learners’ content knowledge and speaking skills. Foreign Language Annals, 47(2), 338-356. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12084

Lee, L. (2014b). Empowering learners with digital news stories: An exploratory study of a college Spanish course. In C. Gregori-Signes & A. Brigido-Corachán (Eds.), Appraising digital storytelling across educational contexts (pp. 135-152). Universitat de València.

Liu, K.P., Tai, S.J. & Liu, C.C. (2018). Enhancing language learning through creation: the effect of digital storytelling on student learning motivation and performance in a school English course. Education Technology Research and Development, 66(3), 913-935. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11423-018-9592-Z

Moradi, H. & Chen, H. (2019). Digital storytelling in language education. Behavioral Sciences, 9, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs912014

Morley, D. & Jamil, M.G. (Eds.). (2021) Applied pedagogies for higher education. Real world learning and innovation across the curriculum. Springer International Publishing.

Nelson, M.E. (2006). Mode, meaning, and synaesthesia in multimedia L2 writing. Language Learning and Technology, 10(2), 56-76. https://doi.org/10125/44061

Nilsson, M. (2010). Developing voice in digital storytelling through creativity, narrative and multimodality. International Journal of Media, Technology and Lifelong Learning, 6(2), 148-160. https://doi.org/10.7577/seminar.2428

Oskoz, A. & Elola, I. (2016). Digital stories: Overview. CALICO Journal, 33(2), 157-173. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v33i2.29295

Oskoz, A. & Elola, I. (2014). Integrating digital stories in the writing class: Towards a 21st century literacy. In J.G. Guikema & L. Williams (Eds.), Digital literacies in foreign language education: Research, perspectives, and best practices (pp. 179-200). CALICO Journal.

Pascual Lence, B. (2013). Digital storytelling in foreign language teaching. In M. Alcantud-Díaz & C. Gregori-Signes (Eds.), Experiencing digital storytelling. JPM Ediciones.

Porto, M.D., & Alonso Belmonte, I. (2014). From local to global: Visual strategies of glocalisation in digital storytelling. Language and Communication, 39, 14-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langcom.2014.05.001.

Reyes Torres, A., Pich Ponce, E. & García Pastor, M.D. (2012). Digital storytelling as a pedagogical tool within a didactic sequence in foreign language teaching. Digital Education Review, 22, 1-18. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://roderic.uv.es/bitstream/handle/10550/34827/083222.pdf?sequence=1

Ribeiro, S. (2015). Digital storytelling: An integrated approach to language learning for the 21st century student. Teaching English with Technology, 15(2), 39-53. Retrieved June 4, 2022 from https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=nl&user=OFt69jUAAAAJ&citation_for_view=OFt69jUAAAAJ:eflP2zaiRacC

Robin, B. (2006). The educational uses of digital storytelling. In D.A. Willis, J. Price, N.E. Davis & R. Weber (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education international conference 2006 (pp. 709-716). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

Rutta, C.B., Schiavo, G., Zancanaro, M. & Rubegni, E. (2021).Comic-based digital storytelling for content and language integrated learning. Education Media International, 58(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2021.1908499

Sager, J.C., Dungworth, D. & McDonald, P.M. (1980). English special languages: principles and practice in science and technology. Athenaion.

Tsou, W., Wang, W. & Tzeng, Y. (2006). Applying a multimedia storytelling website in foreign language learning. Computers and Education, 47,14-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2004.08.013

Tual, D., Geslin, T. & Rinder, J. (2018). ‘A case for LSP’ in A. Lopes & C. Raúl Ruiz (Eds.), New trends in foreign language teaching. Methods, evaluation and innovation (pp. 56-62). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Uden, L. & Beaumont, C. (2006). Technology and problem-based learning. Information Science Publishing.

Verdugo, D. & Alonso Belmonte, I. (2007). Using digital stories to improve listening comprehension with Spanish young learners of English. Language Learning and Technology, 11(1), 87-101. https://doi.org./10125/44090

Vinogradova, P., Linville, H. & Bickel, L. (2011). ‘Listen to my story and you will know me’: Digital stories as student-centered collaborative projects. TESOL Journal, 2(2), 173-202. https://doi.org/10.5054/tj.2011.250380

Yang, Y. & Wu, W. (2012). Digital storytelling for enhancing student academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation: A year-long experimental study. Computers & Education, 59, 339-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.12.012