July 2015

1

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong Community College

Subject Description Form

Subject Code CCN2043

Subject Title Digital Storytelling

Level 2

Credit Value 3

Medium of Instruction

English and Chinese (Cantonese)

Pre-requisite / Co-requisite/ Exclusion

Nil

Objectives

The purpose of this subject is to help students develop their expressive capabilities and relevant skills of storytelling in the digital era. The new form of storytelling uses digital technologies and sharing platforms to convey message, which is totally different from the conventional form. Along with the popularity of digital equipment, smartphones and software used by the general public, digital storytelling becomes an effective communication channel to make meaningful content and ideas in the areas of education, community, business, social, health and human services agencies, entertainment and personal or interpersonal expression.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to: (a) demonstrate an innovative way to solve communicative problems in a

variety of disciplines.

(b) acquire knowledge of a conceptual framework of digital storytelling on interdisciplinary relationships.

(c) identify the applications of digital storytelling. (d) apply essential techniques in digital storytelling in terms of narrating,

editing and sharing.

(e) demonstrate digital storytelling as an effective communication channel.

Subject Synopsis/ Indicative Syllabus

Narrated Media in Digital Age Various ways for telling story digitally; Micro-film; Viral video; Video art; Sound art; Animation; Documentary; TV commercials; Digital film. Storytelling Methods of telling stories; Personal narrative; Character; Scene; Location; Timing; Dialogue; Monologue; Storyboard; Visual & Audio.

July 2015

2

Creating a Digital Story Tools for telling digital stories; Digital images; Digital sound; Digital media. Publishing of a Digital Story Interactive communication between the author and audience via different social networking platforms; Ethical considerations.

Teaching/Learning Methodology

Students will be guided to express their ideas through the integration of still imagery, moving imagery, sound, and text which can never be achieved by the conventional modality. The extensive engagement of digital storytelling in the social networking platform is propitious for the enhancement of communication and interaction between authors and audiences. Lectures will focus on the foundation theory in digital storytelling. Works appreciation will be included in lectures. Students will have an overview of different genres/applications in or related to digital storytelling. Workshops conducted in the laboratory/studio will focus on exploring a variety of digital communication tools. Students will learn to arrange a digital storytelling in the laboratory by using photos, sound and editing software, as well as a digital camera. Tutorials will focus on analysing, generating and creating a digital storytelling work. Students will have a chance to discuss their works and generate different ways to create a digital story.

Assessment Methods in Alignment with Intended Learning Outcomes

A variety of assessment tools will be used to develop and assess students achievement of the subject intended learning outcomes.

Specific assessment methods/tasks

% weighting

Intended subject learning outcomes to be

assessed

a b c d e

Continuous Assessment* 100

Individual Assignment 1 20

Individual Assignment 2 20

Individual Assignment 3 40

Individual Written Report 10

Participation 10

Total 100

*Continuous assessment items and/or weighting may be adjusted by the subject team subject to the approval of the College Programme Committee.

To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or above in the Continuous Assessment.

July 2015

3

Student Study Effort Expected

Class contact Hours

Lecture 13

Tutorial & Laboratory 26

Other student study effort

Self-study 32

Continuous Assessment 62

Total student study effort 133

Reading List and References

References Alexander, B. (2011). The New Digital Storytelling: Creating Narratives with New Media. (1st ed.), Praeger. Bordwell, D. (2008). Film Art: An Introduction. (8th ed.), McGraw Hill. Brown, B. (2002). Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers. (1st ed.), Focal Press. Hockrow, R. (2013). Storytelling Techniques for Digital Filmmakers; Plot Structure, Camera Movement, Lens Selection, and More. (1st ed.), Amherst Media. Lambert, J. (2012). Digital Storytelling: Capturing Lives, Creating Community. (1st ed.), Routledge. Straczynski, J. (2002). The Complete Book of Scriptwriting. (1st ed.), Writers Digest (2011)